Do you ever pick up health anxieties from other people?

[wasdhu]

A parent or a friend will say something that they're worried about and then I'll become worried about it too, even when I never used to think about it before. Or I'll read a thread on here and then I will start to worry about the same thing.

My HA list has gradually grown because of this, I worry about a lot of things I never even used to think about. A lot of these worries I picked up from the news, friends/family, media, randomly from other places...

I'm not sure how to avoid it all because a lot of this information comes to me without warning. I can't imagine what else I'll be worrying about in the future

Not sure what else to say about this, wondering if anyone goes through the same thing?

[Fishmanpa]

If you've been reading here, you know it absolutely happens in real life and by reading others worries here on the forum.

FMP

[AntsyVee]

It's very common with anxiety...and not just with HA. I'd say that's a pretty big sign that your anxiety is bad. What are you doing to treat it?

[NoraB]

Not sure what else to say about this, wondering if anyone goes through the same thing?

It's all part of the beast innit?

Ditch reading/watching the news. It's unhelpful when you have anxiety and HA...

And, information via the media etc isn't really 'without warning' is it? The internet is full of scaremongering crap. Everybody knows this. Nobody is forcing you to log on are they?

There's much you can do to limit the exposure..

[pulisa]

It's all down to morbid fascination with all things scary though, isn't it..You know you shouldn't but you just can't help having a quick read..What's the harm in that?

[Pamplemousse]

A parent or a friend will say something that they're worried about and then I'll become worried about it too, even when I never used to think about it before. Or I'll read a thread on here and then I will start to worry about the same thing.

Yes. All the time. For years and years.

A friend of mine was diagnosed with bowel cancer a few years ago; he's right as rain now but for all that time I've obsessed about it.

Now a colleague has been diagnosed with lung cancer.

You don't need me to fill in the gaps, do you...?

[wasdhu]

And, information via the media etc isn't really 'without warning' is it? The internet is full of scaremongering crap. Everybody knows this. Nobody is forcing you to log on are they?

You're right, I'll just never use the internet again

[wasdhu]

It's very common with anxiety...and not just with HA. I'd say that's a pretty big sign that your anxiety is bad. What are you doing to treat it?

Haven't had any help for my HA outside of this forum. Even if I went to a GP I wouldn't know what to say... "Sometimes I get anxious about my health. When I worry it really sucks but I'm also fine half of the time"? Don't know what they could do about that

[AntsyVee]

Haven't had any help for my HA outside of this forum. Even if I went to a GP I wouldn't know what to say... "Sometimes I get anxious about my health. When I worry it really sucks but I'm also fine half of the time"? Don't know what they could do about that

Here are some things you should say to your doc:
--I have intrusive thoughts that tell me to worry about my health.
--It's not 24/7, but when it happens, it's hard to stop worrying.
--I want to work on it now, so it doesn't get worse.
--I want a physical to rule out anything physical causing this.
--Is there a therapist you recommend?
--Are there ways to improve my diet and exercise?
--Are there any medications that you suggest?
--Will you work with me to make this better?

[AuntWithIssues87]

Yes...I’ve worked with some drama filled people with all kinds of problems over the years. News stories and articles about various diseases and conditions have contributed as well.