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Luckylegate
18-02-17, 05:58
I have always suffered from health anxiety since I was 9 and my friend nearly died of appendicitis. I remember being really aftraid of any pains on the right side of my torso for years. Growing pains that in my mind were blood clots, the slightest headaches were brain tumours, ocular migraines were brain problems. Most recently however I have had a long running health worry. Last year I graduated Uni which I was happy about but also felt worried as it was the end of the linear direction in my life; suddenly I had finished this path and my future was uncertain. I took time off and as a result didn't start job hunting until Christmas; this was a mistake as seeing all my uni mates getting jobs and me failing too made me even more anxious. Then one morning when getting over a cold I feel ill, bloated and had diarrhoea. I also vomited because of the bloating. Doctor tells me it's gastrointestinal virus which was going around st the time (my local schools were all off ill with it). This along with the stress triggered bad IBS. I've been a mix of having diarrhoea with cramps and constipation with bloating and nausea for months.had blood tests, stool tests all normal but in my mind I'm thinking the worst. Recently been having Attacks of light headed dizziness and hot/cold flashes when I have panic Attacks or have had a particularly stressful day of worry. At the time of writing this I haven't been to the toilet in 3 days which is making things worse. Trying all kinds of diets and supplements etc. A week ago I had a 2 week symptom free (or A LOT better) time during which I thought I was back to normal then sudddenky I'm bloated and constipated again. I just feel like my life is spiralling out of control. I'm 21 and it's very much interfering with having a "normal" life where I can socialise with my friends and enjoy things. Any advice would be appreciated :)

Mochi
19-02-17, 20:12
Have you seen the movie Reality Bites? I was graduating from university when that movie came out, yes I am old! Ha! Anyway, I had similar feelings at the time... My life up to that point all had a trajectory that was pretty much established for me. Yes, I had to make some decisions for myself, but there were rules and guidelines, even handbooks! When you graduate you are hurled out of the nest so to speak and now you are on your own. No rules, no guidelines, and definitely no handbooks... it is truly scary! Especially when everyone around you appears to have their shit together! Trust me, it might look like they do, but they are most likely worried too!

Anyway, Reality Bites deals with this. It is a bit dated, but still good. Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawk....

Hang in there, this will pass!