CBT for health anxiety

[Dave M]

I suffer with health anxiety, OCD and panic disorder, obsiously depression too. I'm also a psychology student. The constant checking of the mole, spot, pulse, body temperature in the presence of extreme anxiety works as an operant reinforcer (Google operant reinforcer and you will find a power point that will explain what operant reinforcement is). Basically, when you check repeatedly, it performs the opposite action from what one would like it to do and, in the long term, makes one more anxious. So you get anxious and then you check. During the formative stages of your health anxiety, when you first became concerned about your health and began to check when you were anxious, the anxiety and the checking get paired together and the checking reinforces the anxiety, making it more likely to occur at a later date.

[Meewah]

HiYa

Been to CBT for shakey hands as per last post. Since then my anxiety has manifested itself in health checking for lumps and bumps does not seem to be my way. I am so scared of finding something wrong that I rush all my personal hygene. Sometimes though I check for pains and question why I have that pain and can I link it to another pain and then self diagnose as something terminal. Now I read a lot, to distract myself in times of peace and quiet. I can not have a bath as I have too much time to listen to my heart or check my body. I shower in the dark and get dressed quickly. I also scare myself silly with my wifes symptoms past or present. I can panic over her health symptoms as much as my own. I seem to be just waiting for something dire to happen.

I try to act out in my mind what it would be like if either of us had cancer or a disabling illness. This could be due to my parents gradual deteriation. I feel like the future is all doom and gloom and I want to dig my head in the sand. Sometimes I wish I did not care about anyone so I would not get the anxiety symptoms as I am afraid I wont be able to cope if something happens.

Is this Health anxiety?

Mee

[anxious]

Hi Mee,

yes sounds pretty much like health anxiety to me. Have a look on the ha forum and welcome ,

anx x

[GILL8]

Hi Mee

I've suffered from the same 'checking' for many years but in times of
extreme stress and more important life changes (i.e. in your case
your parent's deterioration) that will definitely make your phobia much
worse. As in your case, when my parents gradually deteriorated and instead of them looking after me, it was my turn to look after them, the responsbility
changed and it was so depressing to see them go down and also tiring
mentally to see it. Your whole life seems to go down into a depressing
cycle. I am in this situation at the moment and I sympathise with you
so much as I am suffering the same extreme anxiety and phobia.
Do try and distract yourself with good things although I know this isn't
always possible. If the 'checking' is so extreme a course of CBT will
definitely help although I have to say it does require a lot of willpower
from you in the end.

It will ease but don't let it get too much before you try to get help!

Good Luck

Gill