What approach to you use when posting on threads?

[Thelegend27]

A lot of people submit threads here on the ha forum, and surely some of them actually have worrisome symptoms, so when you see a symptom you think may be something serious do you tell the op how serious it can be or do you only aim to help the soothe the anxiety?

I know a lot of you are straight forward with people, and in my opinion thats a good thing, because you don't want someone ignoring a possibly serious symptom.

[MyNameIsTerry]

Tell them to see a doctor but to remember that we are all just the untrained and what may seem serious to us means nothing compared to what a doctor believes to be serious.

And serious doesn't have to mean deadly. But it can mean serious enough to need medical treatment, treatment that may resolve it. So, it's important to remain objective and not jump to conclusions.

If a symptom is serious, soothing the anxiety is irresponsible. Getting a doctor to decide and then working with the anxiety about the situation is something we can do though.

[Melonpony]

Agree w Terry. If I read a post where a symptom concerns me (and honestly, since coming on nomorepanic, for over a year now, that's only happened once or twice...and I read a few posts a day), I voice my concern that they should check in w a Dr. I make it clear that it sounds like it could be a health issue that needs a prescription or a Dr to address it.


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[LDoubleE]

A lot of people submit threads here on the ha forum, and surely some of them actually have worrisome symptoms, so when you see a symptom you think may be something serious do you tell the op how serious it can be or do you only aim to help the soothe the anxiety?

I know a lot of you are straight forward with people, and in my opinion thats a good thing, because you don't want someone ignoring a possibly serious symptom.Do a bit of both. Best way to do it. If it sounds serious just a simple..

"Don't want to alarm you but this doesn't sound too good, I recommend visiting your doctor asap or maybe a visit to A&E?"

No point just being blunt and going caps lock warrior GET TO A DOCTOR NOW!! YOU'RE GOING TO DIE!! ...but it's not good to be like "probably just your anxiety playing up" if the person has talked about chest pain, sweating, and numbness in the left arm to the point they can't raise it. Because that person may just be having anxiety but it may also be a heart attack.. Best of both worlds. That's what is important.

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[swajj]

Anyone with symptoms that have not been evaluated by a doctor should be advised to see a one. Even if someone is a regular here, posting about symptoms that are most probably anxiety related they should still be advised to see a doctor. If someone continues to post about symptoms that have been evaluated by a doctor then they should be advised to see a mental health professional.

[Thelegend27]

I agree with you guys, I always recommend anyone to see a doctor for their concerns no matter how benign as it sounds, seeing a doctor is the only way to get a definite answer and some peace in mind.

I've read a lot over the years about various health conditions especially regarding the heart, but I am in no means as educated as a doctor, so I can give advice but my advice always ends in you seeing a doctor.

[swajj]

Because health anxiety symptoms mimic real symptoms of illnesses it is easy to assume that all symptoms mentioned here are HA related. If someone comes here convinced they have bowel cancer after specialists and gold standard tests prove they haven't and that person also has HA then I would feel justified in suggesting reasons why their fears are unfounded.

[Fishmanpa]

Because health anxiety symptoms mimic real symptoms of illnesses it is easy to assume that all symptoms mentioned here are HA related. If someone comes here convinced they have bowel cancer after specialists and gold standard tests prove they haven't and that person also has HA then I would feel justified in suggesting reasons why their fears are unfounded.

True... the vast majority of posts contain information that discounts a serious illness. Many times, several doctors and tests have proven nothing sinister is going on and the poster is just reassurance seeking (what can we say that a medical professional hasn't said to help?). Also, a serious illness or condition is often accompanied by several symptoms and quite often, a poster will site just one symptom and be in a spiral over it (a bit of floating poo does not = bowel cancer! etc. etc.)

There's also the fact that many of the fears are so irrational that coming from an outside perspective, it's literally mind boggling (Rabies and ALS threads are often this way). Most can discount some of the rarer illness fears as well (Brain eating amoebas and Sporadic Fatal Insomnia being a couple of examples).

Also, one must take into consideration post history. Many have been posting similar fears (or a variety) for years and they're still here posting. Good advice has been given and ignored time and time again. It quickly becomes the "boy/girl who cried wolf" situation. AND... it's obvious the poster is not doing anything to help themselves nor taking in the advice.

Of course, seeing a medical professional for certain symptoms is the way to go and I often recommend that. Asking members to interpret test results or look at photos of various body parts is not recommended and many here have seen some things that just can't be unseen!

Positive thoughts

[Melonpony]

The photos are too much for me, tbh. I try and avoid those posts that contain them.

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[MyNameIsTerry]

The photos are too much for me, tbh. I try and avoid those posts that contain them.

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I with you there!

I can remember one guy posting pics of his, erm, undercarriage...fully erect! There wasn't enough bleach for my eyes & brain that day!!! :ohmy:

Another I can remember took shots of various body parts. If I printed them off and put them together it might make a full pic!

I blame the show Embarrassing Bodies. For those abroad, it's a show where people show TV GP's things tey say are too embarrassing to show anyone, even partners, yet here they are on national TV showing millions! It's like having a secret and telling your friend who is the biggest blabbermouth so it's no longer a secret and everyone knows!

[axolotl]

I think you have to try and get people to realise what a non-HA would do and think when there is *genuinely* symptoms there... "It's probably nothing, but will pop to the doctor just to check". At all times, something and nothing is far more likely than something nasty, even though we're so bad at realising that. A doctor's visit should just be a sensible precaution.

But when you have anxiety, you have to try and make that your first go-to thought if you have a symptom that can be explained by anxiety.