View Full Version : Just a question for HA sufferers- is what you are doing working?
Hi everyone,
I've had a spike in my anxiety recently as I have been working hard through my OCD and anxiety and not seeking out tests. For those of you that suffer with OCD or health anxiety, we get caught in the cycle of 1. Perceived symptom 2. Anxiety 3. Reassurance seeking with temporary relief 4. Doubt
I have been reading people posting their symptoms online looking for Reassurance, googling or being like me and test seeking. If you read my previous post, I've had more than 5 ultrasounds, 1 MRI, a chest x ray, 2 endoscopes, 2 colonoscopies and 2 flexible sigmoidoscopies. I've feared about 14 different cancers during this time. What I've started to realize is that the reassurance cycle is not working. I can see it in everyone's posts too. The reassurance helps temporarily but ultimately doesn't give us the opportunity to cope. We are relying on external support (for me doctor reassurance or tests) and not on my own strategies.
Just wondering if getting a test, googling or asking for reassurance has treated anyone of this health anxiety? I know each time I go for a test, I tell my husband that this time is different and once I have this test my health anxiety will disappear and I'll move on. I have temporary anxiety relief but then either doubt the test or move onto a different condition. This hasn't happened yet... why? Because I'm irrational and this issue is psychological. Previous to this health anxiety I never went for tests my doctor didn't refer me too and once I got the result, I never for one second doubted it or worried something was missed. Not the same for me now.
I'm a bit confused on what you're asking but if you mean do tests ever reassure people, looking from this forum obviously not - like you said the problem is people will have these tests and then google the amount of times doctors have got these wrong then be back in a pit of anxiety.
If I had a test and it was normal I would put the problem behind me (from a non HA speaker)
It hasn't happened because you have anxiety, I hope you are getting help with this. It really isn't going to get better without the help of someone. I may be wrong but aren't you pregnant? I'm sure if you mention to your midwife they would put you in touch with someone, after you have given birth your emotions will be heightened so there needs to be something in place for your sake. I am really surprised they give you all these tests/scans pregnant also.
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I can say, based on being on here for a while, those that sought professional help and worked hard have successfully treated their anxiety. Cured? No, but healed and continuing to work hard at maintaining their progress. In fact, there is a Facebook page comprised of many NMP members (they no longer or very rarely post here anymore). They strive to eliminate reassurance seeking and keep the content to a more positive healing side.
IMO... professional help, meds if needed and the inner fortitude to work hard is the key to healing.
Positive thoughts
snowflake293
15-10-17, 09:28
For me CBT has helped so much. My HA started about 4 years ago. I had CBT for a few years and it gave me such a useful insight into how my mind works! Anyway, I was almost HA free for a year then it came back recently. However, this time it isn't as 'bad' as I feel all the CBT I had before actually re-wired my brain. It is hard work, but it is possible to find your way through and manage this.
I’m lucky and have a really awesome GP who’s taken the tough love approach. I’ve been convinced I’ve got bowel cancer she’s convinced I have health anxiety and potentially an undiagnosed OCD type illness. I’ve had blood tests, stool samples and a rectal exam all come back normal. She’s now refusing to give me any type of physical examination until I get my anxiety levels down. It was tough at first but I can see why she’s doing it, because she like me is aware the reassurance doesn’t last long. On top of that I have an amazing CBT counsellor.
MyNameIsTerry
16-10-17, 05:09
You see to be asking if engaging with the obsessive-compulsive cycle in a negative way works for people. For most I would say it doesn't help and certainly doesn't address the core beliefs they have been building to reinforce their negative thinking styles.
I have seen some on here that go through a big spiral and finally get an appropriately comprehensive test (say a MRI after multiple lesser tests, for instance) and they manage to accept it fairly quickly. These are very uncommon on here though from what I've seen and they will always be back with something else anyway otherwise they wouldn't even have an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety flits about. Themes change. I see this in OCDers although some get stuck on one major situation or theme.
Has anyone recovered through a test? I've not seen one but who knows, it's possible if they put in enough effort to get behind the test and I guess if they are new to anxiety so their thinking isn't too ingrained. I would seriously doubt it with OCD though.
I’m lucky and have a really awesome GP who’s taken the tough love approach. I’ve been convinced I’ve got bowel cancer she’s convinced I have health anxiety and potentially an undiagnosed OCD type illness. I’ve had blood tests, stool samples and a rectal exam all come back normal. She’s now refusing to give me any type of physical examination until I get my anxiety levels down. It was tough at first but I can see why she’s doing it, because she like me is aware the reassurance doesn’t last long. On top of that I have an amazing CBT counsellor.
That's such a good approach from your GP. I know a lot of people on here don't like the tough love approach but it cuts out all the excuses/repeated tests/reassurance-seeking and appointment addiction which just reinforce the feeling that something is wrong or has been missed. You are lucky to have a competent, HA-savvy GP and a great CBT therapist, Murdock. We don't need GPs or therapists who enable HA.
---------- Post added at 08:36 ---------- Previous post was at 08:29 ----------
You see to be asking if engaging with the obsessive-compulsive cycle in a negative way works for people. For most I would say it doesn't help and certainly doesn't address the core beliefs they have been building to reinforce their negative thinking styles.
I have seen some on here that go through a big spiral and finally get an appropriately comprehensive test (say a MRI after multiple lesser tests, for instance) and they manage to accept it fairly quickly. These are very uncommon on here though from what I've seen and they will always be back with something else anyway otherwise they wouldn't even have an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety flits about. Themes change. I see this in OCDers although some get stuck on one major situation or theme.
Has anyone recovered through a test? I've not seen one but who knows, it's possible if they put in enough effort to get behind the test and I guess if they are new to anxiety so their thinking isn't too ingrained. I would seriously doubt it with OCD though.
I can accept my test results, Terry and just have to discipline myself with my reaction to ongoing physical symptoms otherwise I'd be a regular on here posting for reassurance. I don't think there's any doubt that I've had a lifelong anxiety disorder but I just have to work hard to keep my thoughts rational. And I have to keep on an even keel for my daughter's sake because she is terrified of my anxiety.
I was told by my psychatrist that I did not have OCD. A psychiatrist is not only a mental health expert but a fully trained doctor. They know a thing or two lol. There seems to be some misconception here that the OCD and HA go hand in hand. Perhaps for some people it does but not for everyone.
I have to say that I was almost always reassured by the results of tests. I usually accepted the word of experts and following that I also accepted that I didn’t have whatever illness I feared at the time. However, I then just moved on to a new illness and a new lot of tests and specialist visits. And on and on it went.
I don’t know if you are getting help for your anxiety but if you aren’t you need to.
MyNameIsTerry
16-10-17, 11:00
And at the other end of that - many OCDers never have health themes. I don't.
OCD is categorised by the focus of the cycle itself (mainly obsessions, mainly compulsions or mixed) not what it's about. So, you can slide between any of them but many are health biased or the opposite without overlapping.
More is clearly in play than the mere label for this to happen. I think OCDers get a bit caught up in the sufferers terms (HOCD, ROCD, etc) but then so do HAers since HA isn't a medical term hence overlaps between various anxiety disorders which introduces some distinct problems to address.
---------- Post added at 11:00 ---------- Previous post was at 10:52 ----------
I can accept my test results, Terry and just have to discipline myself with my reaction to ongoing physical symptoms otherwise I'd be a regular on here posting for reassurance. I don't think there's any doubt that I've had a lifelong anxiety disorder but I just have to work hard to keep my thoughts rational. And I have to keep on an even keel for my daughter's sake because she is terrified of my anxiety.
I think that's a reflection on your mindset due to hard work. And you have a family situation where you can't let your anxiety show so you had a choice and naturally putting your daughter's needs first win out - typical of a good parent.
But some seem to go into a mega spiral and just come out of it. They always confuse me a bit because whilst I've always had peaks my daily anxiety would remain. It's like something just clicks into place for them and some hopefully take ownership of it and apply acceptance with a lot of discipline.
It seems more common for tests to just be brushed aside by the doubts that come after the reassurance fades. The cycle restarts quickly for them. They haven't reached your inner strength in stopping it. And I wouldn't see you wanting reassurance anyway more an answer so you can apply yourself to moving on.
Yes, you're right, Terry. Other things I find impossible to "fix" but I do think there are practical things-even "rules"-that you just have to stick to with HA in order to move on. For me HA is all about self-discipline. I really struggle with my OCD and ED but when my anxiety is lower I can just about tolerate some leeway with my self-imposed "rituals"..
I do move on to different issues with my HA but just have to apply the same rules and only see a GP for red flag symptoms or if I think there is a clinical need for tests.
Did you get therapy/treatment for ED, Pulisa? Was it helpful?
I've never had treatment-it wasn't around when I developed anorexia at 16 and now I'm too old and it's too entrenched. I can maintain my (low) weight so am not at risk..just at the mercy of food rituals and a terror of not being able to maintain them.
---------- Post added at 12:46 ---------- Previous post was at 12:43 ----------
It's totally illogical and irrational and stupid....but very powerful. So I'm just as much in the grips of it as all the HA-ers on here.
I've never had treatment-it wasn't around when I developed anorexia at 16 and now I'm too old and it's too entrenched. I can maintain my (low) weight so am not at risk..just at the mercy of food rituals and a terror of not being able to maintain them.
---------- Post added at 12:46 ---------- Previous post was at 12:43 ----------
It's totally illogical and irrational and stupid....but very powerful. So I'm just as much in the grips of it as all the HA-ers on here.
Kudos to you for having strength and fortitude to deal with it on your own. As long as you're able to maintain a "healthy" weight....but understand the psychological aspect is the hardest part to contend with.
We all have our own "illogical" fears which is why we're here I guess :wacko:
Thanks for all of the great discussions. I've been diagnosed with severe OCD and not illness anxiety disorder or somatic symptom disorder. I am 28 and have had OCD since childhood but in January was the first time my obsessions became health focused. I'm started seeing a therapist immediately in February and have since then. I also see my GP and a psychiatrist for OCD. I've been trying every strategy in the book but when my anxiety peaks I find anything to do another test. After all of the tests I've had I realize they do nothing for the anxiety long term but it is really hard when you are worried doctors missed something. My OCD has been so strong, that I've done 2 endoscopes and 2 full colonoscopies completely unsedated (as I didn't want to do anything that could possibly hurt the baby). The doctors all commented on how "strong" I was for that but in th2 back of my head i knew it was actually very weak what i was doing. I'm back onto fearing stomach cancer and wanting a third endoscope and am on mat leave before baby comes so I need to find some ways to not get into the reassurance wheel.
This has helped many here and it's FREE http://cbt4panic.org
Positive thoughts
1) Stay off the Google searches and support boards for the disease I fear. No more of that.
2) Realize I don't have control here. Either my fears will come true, or they won't. Either way I can't really do much except life a healthy lifestyle.
3) Understand life is short. Everyone dies at some point, and we only have so much time in this life. So get out there and live it to its fullest, whatever that means to you. Sitting around and worrying yourself sick is no way to spend the gift that we've all been given. Go do something.
4) Resist the urge to check and to get reassurance. Don't give the fears so much space in my brain, fill it with other things.
5) Have a plan that if my fears do come true, I know what to do. Be at peace with that plan.
These are the things that are currently helping me at the moment. I feel like I am improving from a few weeks ago, for sure.
1) Stay off the Google searches and support boards for the disease I fear. No more of that.
2) Realize I don't have control here. Either my fears will come true, or they won't. Either way I can't really do much except life a healthy lifestyle.
3) Understand life is short. Everyone dies at some point, and we only have so much time in this life. So get out there and live it to its fullest, whatever that means to you. Sitting around and worrying yourself sick is no way to spend the gift that we've all been given. Go do something.
4) Resist the urge to check and to get reassurance. Don't give the fears so much space in my brain, fill it with other things.
5) Have a plan that if my fears do come true, I know what to do. Be at peace with that plan.
These are the things that are currently helping me at the moment. I feel like I am improving from a few weeks ago, for sure.
5/5.
Point 3 is very important. If you really do come to terms with the fact we will ALL die someday (100% guaranteed), then you learn to appreciate life and the time you have with loved ones. The ego doesn't always have to come first.
I think point 5 is important too. If you have a plan you have some control back over what is not controllable.
Yeah actually when I came up with my plan, that was my first breakthrough to be at peace with everything. That’s sorta what set me up on the path to recovery. It’s obviously not something I enjoy thinking about but at least it’s something I feel like I can control for myself.
I've had HA for about 10 years off and on. I didn't know until recently that it was actually a problem and there was a name for it. The past three months have been a roller coaster ride in terms of my anxiety. I am starting to take the steps to help. I've gone to two counseling sessions for my anxiety and I am going to my PCP today to ask for a referral to a psychiatrist. Sadly, I am also going to my PCP today for reassurance. I know this will not help in the long run, but at the moment it will help me get over my current anxieties.
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