Petrified I have bowel cancer

[BlueIris]

Unfortunately, what you've just written is the battle cry of the health anxious, and represents the flawed thinking that characterizes the condition.

Both the good and the bad news about health anxiety is that you hold the keys to your own recovery. The first step, however, is acknowledging that your thought patterns may not be entirely rational.

[CatLady1]

If you're not already on appropriate medication, would you consider asking your GP for an anti-depressant prescription? I've been taking Sertraline for about 8 months now, which my GP prescribed specifically for health anxiety, and it's really doing wonders. The anxieties don't totally disappear, but they are so much easier to manage.

Also, I can't speak for the efficacy of CBT, having never tried it, but I have found standard psychotherapy useful, because it's helped me to get to the root of my anxieties, understand them, and keep them in check.

[MrsEd]

How brilliant that you have a colonoscopy so quickly. I waited 6 months for mine.

Im sure you will be fine but good to get it checked