How To Survive Health Anxiety!

[mimie]

thank you so much for all this common sense

I have started meditating for the past six months this has helped enormously too xx

[Liziik]

Your fears are exactly like mine! No lie the whole lift thing! I would rather climb 100 floors of stairs then ever step foot in one! Trains havnt been on one in years neither would I any time soon! Constantly looking for the nearest escape route, I can't go anywhere unless I drive (easy escape that way)! I hope this site helps you! Have u tried talking to your partner? My bf completely doesn't get me he thinks I'm 'daft' although he has learnt to be more comforting and accepting of it, I'm 24 and have had this since I was 15. So a long time! I have never taken meds not because I think there bad just personal opinion. I hope you can overcome this and we are all here with you should you need us you are most definitely not alone....p.s sorry for any spelling errors I'm using my phone and I'm sure its the worlds smallest keyboard! Liz x

[Dreamer71]

This sticky has given me a lot of reassurance. Although ironically I am waiting for my 4th phone consultation with another G.P. today and will be asking for citalopram and CBT. I've had this about 4 years ago and I can only hope that this will help me with my cycle.
For months I've convinced myself that I had PMDD, last week the G.P. suspected that it's classic P.M.T. (whereas I'm now sure it's perimenopause) and suggested that I try the propranolol if things get bad.
I've havent been myself for over 2-3 months. Last night was the worst as I was convinced that I was dying, my diaphragm was tight, sure that my heart was gonna give me a nasty shock and I was shuddering with fear that I would die leaving my lovely young family.

After my husband got upset with me, he said if you die in your sleep you won't know anyway, but tomorrow demand that the Doctor sees you and do something about it.
So I reluctantly took the propranolol and distracted myself with the t.v. until exhaustion.
I'm too frightened to go to sleep.

I've done the classic Dr. Google assessment, and the result there is that it would be a nightmare to get specialists tests done if I had suspected condition. It's hard to shake off that feeling I have some underlying condition waiting to present itself.

Today I am better, I know what changes I have to make, but the main thing is to convince myself to feel upbeat even over the most silly thing. Not to dwell or brood, least of all worry. I know that distraction is the key, to seek out some simple pleasure and indulge yourself.

I feel for all the sufferers, especially those with different experiences to mine. Thankfully, there is a wealth of helpful information on this site, though nothing replaces the comfort and assurances we need in person certainly just as the anxiety is occurring.
As is often said, "mind over matter" - we can choose to beat it, or let it beat us.

[Glyph]

Should'a read this first. I know it's right about everything, now to convince my BRAIN of it.

I feel honestly kind of relieved that this website exists. I'm tired of arguing with my family about this, and getting myself all worked up. Of course since I'm dealing with a physical symptom right NOW the relief perhaps isn't as palpable as it might be... I'll be better when everything comes back clear.

And it's hard to ignore google. I just googled myself AGAIN after I SAW a doctor today (and got an appointment for a blood test and a scan out of it - MUCH more useful than google even if it DID set me googling again because I was being given the test and scan for something different to what I went in for and got scared all over again!) ...Is it just me, or are lumps one of the most persistent of all the medical problems people bring here? Alongside things like heart problems? Nothing scares us like the 'C' word!

Goes anyone have any advice for physically keeping yourself OFF the search engines re: health issues? I mean, is there some way you can block those websites or something? I lack self restraint with these things v.v

[Iamme]

This is so beautiful and all so true - I've been through it all.
The bad days are paralyzing- all day balled up on the couch with TV
The good - distraction and happy thoughts - being busy

We need to get away from ourselves...

[joejoe]

great post wise words ! i am hoping to get over my anxiety and when i have a anxious state i feel it coming on slowly getting worse and worse and i lay down and take deep breaths slowly my body is telling me to jump up and move around and panic more but i ignor and accept it all the time i am watching family guy mostly in the background whilst panicking or feeling anxious the thoughts come into my head your going to die bla bla bla and i ignore them and say iam strong this will be over and when it is i will be happy it eventually goes its not easy but it goes when it dose go its proof that you are feeling better this was all caused by worrying so each time i aim to get stronger and stronger thats how i try and deal with it thanks for the post

[PokerFace]

Glad this has been of some help to your guys

Dreamer, Propanolol (in my experience) will help relieve the physical symptoms to a point, but not the mental. They're a beta blocker and stop the adrenaline reacting with the blood so much. Keep that in mind when taking, it might help you feel a bit more relaxed with them mentally if you know.

Glyph, there is a way to block certain websites from your preferred internet browser, I forget how? But I'm sure if you search how to you'll come across something that tells you. With me, I just thought "is this really worth it?" Sometimes we can find the reassurance, most times we can't. It just takes self restraint really, next time you feel like you want/need to Google just ask yourself how you'll end up feeling? Realistically? There's a 9/10 chance (made up just trying to get my point across that Dr. Google sucks) that we'll get the result we most feared and 1/10 we'll get the reassurance we need. Even if we find some semi reassuring information, they'll be another website telling us the complete opposite and for some reason we'll believe that one as absolute fact! Just seriously, next time you want to Google, I know it's easier said than done, but please, please, PLEASE, think twice

Hope you all feel better soon! xxx

[XJMatt]

Brilliant guide here's to better thinking and a fresher mind state,I'd recommend this for definite, thank you for a good read and better understanding!

[gemma87]

I'm new to this site and this was the first thread I read and it has made me feel a lot better.
I hate the fact that no one understands how I feel and it is very lonely.
And I certainly won't be googling symptoms anymore!

[S.dee]

Best thing ive read on this whole site. Just came onto this site as ive started getting anxious and now im away off it just because of this post, Its brilliant and opens my mind straight away!!

FAB!!