Please please help me

[Button1]

Oh I hear you. It’s so hard because you look at doctors and think “you’ll be able to tell me I’m ok” and they do and then there’s something in you that doesn’t accept it. It’s one of the worst bits of HA. I had a doctors appointment yesterday- she gave me a very comprehensive abdominal check (which is what my anxiety centres around) and said everything was perfect. I was so reassured by that yesterday and now I’m back worrying. I don’t think it’s helped by the fact that I’m waiting for blood test results- I had them done on Tuesday. To be honest I was so looking forward to getting them back because I thought that if there was something wrong it would show in them but I’ve just read an article about a woman whose test results were all normal but she still got diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer. I shouldn’t read this stuff but it’s sending me back to the start again 😩 On the gym, please go. I’ve not been for
2 weeks but I made myself go this morning and it was so nice. I just took it easy and living normally for a bit was such a relief x

[NoraB]

you are right Nora it is all related to death and fearing it, I just don't know how we ever get over that fear.

My experiences that consciousness survives death have removed my fear of death itself, but it was the thought of leaving my child before he reaches independence that brought me to my knees, and it's only now that I see how egotistical that was - as if I'm the only person in this world who can give him what he needs? (If that's really the case, then I've done a crap job as his mum)

I also realised what a complete and utter waste of time it is to be worrying about death when all I have is now, this moment.

However, it's very difficult to be 'in the moment' when you have an anxious mind. Mine naturally wants to rake over a troubled past or worry about the future, so I have to work hard on training my brain to spend longer in the now. (It's the present where good memories are made)

I have been having really unhelpful thoughts about being the only person that's actually really alive because i can only feel my own consciousness, if that makes sense.

This is another manifestation of your anxiety, Chlo. (being hyper self-aware)

the thought will suddenly enter my mind and it makes me feel so panicky.

I've looked in the mirror before now and haven't recognised myself. Not just that my hair looked different or anything like that, but that I literally didn't recognise my own face. Some kind of dissociation. That was weird. But you are going to experience all manner of things that make you panic. You have to stop adding fear to the mix...

He did my blood pressure and it was so high, he wasn't concerned but he told me that the irony in this is that the anxiety and stress i'm feeling will make me ill eventually. I'm not sure if that was a helpful statement but he's being honest I guess. It IS embarrasing when you go to A&E with nothing wrong which is why I have really refrained from doing that, especially as its so traumatic

Your doc was being unhelpful given your HA, but he was also stating the obvious. Long term stress does cause problems, which is why it's so important to do the therapy.

Therapy won't only teach you how to deal with your fear of death, but it will teach you how to deal with inevitable health issues - especially as we age. (trust me on that one)

There is a problem with you, Chlo, but it's currently mental, not physical. It's good that your GP is trying to hurry things along for you...

[Chlobo]

My experiences that consciousness survives death have removed my fear of death itself, but it was the thought of leaving my child before he reaches independence that brought me to my knees, and it's only now that I see how egotistical that was - as if I'm the only person in this world who can give him what he needs? (If that's really the case, then I've done a crap job as his mum)

I also realised what a complete and utter waste of time it is to be worrying about death when all I have is now, this moment.

However, it's very difficult to be 'in the moment' when you have an anxious mind. Mine naturally wants to rake over a troubled past or worry about the future, so I have to work hard on training my brain to spend longer in the now. (It's the present where good memories are made)



This is another manifestation of your anxiety, Chlo. (being hyper self-aware)



I've looked in the mirror before now and haven't recognised myself. Not just that my hair looked different or anything like that, but that I literally didn't recognise my own face. Some kind of dissociation. That was weird. But you are going to experience all manner of things that make you panic. You have to stop adding fear to the mix...



Your doc was being unhelpful given your HA, but he was also stating the obvious. Long term stress does cause problems, which is why it's so important to do the therapy.

Therapy won't only teach you how to deal with your fear of death, but it will teach you how to deal with inevitable health issues - especially as we age. (trust me on that one)

There is a problem with you, Chlo, but it's currently mental, not physical. It's good that your GP is trying to hurry things along for you...

I feel so awful today. I’m on my period this week but I feel lightheaded and dizzy, breathless. I have a dry cough the last few weeks which is scaring me as I’m also having some pains in my ribs. I’m exhausted even though I’ve had a full nights sleep. I’m terrified it could be a problem with my lungs. I’ve got so much I need to do today but the exhaustion is crippling

[Button1]

Sorry I’ve lost track Chloe. Are you on any meds for your anxiety? There is a horrible virus doing the rounds, we’ve all had a cold and been feeling lightheaded and the anxiety will ramp all those sensations up to the max. I also get dizzy on my period. You are under the care of a doctor who says you’re physically ok. You need to take care of your mind now but nothing I’ve read so far suggests that physically there’s anything worryingly wrong xx

[NoraB]

I have a dry cough the last few weeks which is scaring me as I’m also having some pains in my ribs.

Some pain in the ribs is to be expected with a cough... (cause & effect)

I’m terrified it could be a problem with my lungs. I’ve got so much I need to do today but the exhaustion is crippling

Fear creates symptoms and amplifies existing ones..

Prioritise what cannot wait & pace yourself. You have a cough. It's that time of year. Your HA is trying to convince you it's something more serious...

Treat the symptoms, so get some heat on the chest. Painkillers. Stay hydrated. Cough medicine..

Help yourself to feel better rather than terrifying yourself all the time...

You're going to feel crap for a few days. Maybe even a week or two. But then it'll go...