TattooArtist
03-07-17, 14:01
I live in the US and have had health anxiety all my life, a way of thinking passed down from my mother, unfortunately. I have a pretty good handle on it now, after lots of putting into practice the ideas of CBT. I was able to help myself without therapy or medications for anxiety, although the years I had full blown rolling panic were scary. I was/am fortunate to have people in my life that have supported me and were able to understand anxiety and the symptoms it causes. I rarely have panic attacks now, but still get very anxious about health problems. We have health insurance but are in the US and self-employed, so illness could mean financial disaster and a loss of insurance, savings, career, etc. The political climate gives me great anxiety as it directly affects whether our pre-existing conditions will continue to be covered if we have to switch policies, and whether we can afford to pay the insurance premiums. My husband has had a melanoma that was very serious but we are hopeful they removed it all. Despite this, he does not suffer as much anxiety as I do about health. Like all of us I know a little too much about health topics, since anxiety pushes us to do excessive research into conditions we mostly never "end up" having. Lately my son has been bringing home illnesses from his daycare, and we usually get them, causing financial distress and great health and etc. This year I have (actually) had influenza, gastroenteritis twice, an infected cyst, Coxsackie virus, and a flurry of minor colds, plus secondary conditions requiring antibiotics, steroids, and antifungals. Everyone tells me that the first 2 years of toddler schooling are full of illness for families. The doctor said the immune system sorts itself out eventually but that things can be far worse for the adults. Long time lurker, so hi all. I'm hoping I can help others now that I have a better understanding of my own issues with HA.