Maybe try to replace the thoughts with something else. I am trying this. I choose a flower image in my head. Every time I start to think about what is bothering me, I stop, and imagine this flower. Just one idea. :)

I get like that at times. I mean i feel like there is something really wrong with me and the doctors are missing it. I'm having a hard time accepting the face that I have anxiety. My anxiety started two years ago. Lately whenever i get a pain just try to push it aside and see how long it last. I tell myself that it's nothing. Maybetomorrow9 is right. Try to replace the thoughts with something else.......good luck

anxiety over health issues was what caused my agoraphobia. I have gotten to the point where my attitude is just 'bring it on'. i feel like i have accepted that i will one day die, and that if it's going to happen, then i'm okay w/ it. so now i try to stare my fear in the face and be completely indifferent about it. has definitely helped.

with me i tend to do the same whymtoms were i think about my symptoms alot so what i do is i go and reasure my self and if feelin different and feel like a new symptom i always start with anxiety and what ever the symptom coz then i can cross reference and find if it relates to me and always remember with anxiety ur body acts differently but with me i reasure my self and i feel betta

Heck yes! Hence my user name :)

I have been to countless doctors and specialists and for the most part they say I am fine - I do have IBS and a rare skin disease but both shouldn't kill me.

I think the best thing is get an appt with you doc and explain how you are feeling. Mine was very understanding and helped put my mind at ease.

I see you are only 29 so I assume you are prob in fairly good health. Be confident about your age and your background. WHY do you fear HIV? have you had unprotected sex or touched an hiv+ bodily fluid? And most times a yeast infection is JUST a yeast infection. My aunt has a monster of one that flares up from time to time and it requires specialist medication and everything and she is just fine.

My therapist told me I suffer from OCD in the sense that like you I have obsessive thoughts about health. I also have a touch of Somatiation Disorder http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somatization_disorder

Over time I have learned to combat these feelings - mainly with the theory that everything has hurt and been ok in the end. So I move on and try to let me rule my thoughts and not my anxiety. Hope this helps!

I fear HIV because I fear everything. I have thought I have had everything. I got the yeast infection because I was on antibiotics but am having trouble getting rid of it and of course I went online and a lot of stuff about HIV comes up. It is the first one I have had in 10 years since the last time I was on antibiotics. I have had unprotected sex with my last two boyfriends they are the only ones I have slept with and they were both long term relationships. So I have just freaked myself out. I hate being like this.

Yes, I definitely know what you're going through. I had severe hypochondria for two or three years before seeking help for it. All throughout my childhood I secretly feared I had HIV because when I was 5 y.o I touched a used syringe that some loser left in a playground. It worsened when I hit puberty and at the end of every day I was convinced that I had somehow contracted HIV, although the monthly tests I insisted on having were always negative. Each day I would be sure I had at least 4 or 5 illnesses - bone cancer, a brain tumour, HIV, breast cancer, etc. I was so anxious that I developed pretty bad double vision - "another symptom". The problem is that the more you freak out over your health and think about this stuff, the more "symptoms" your mind will create, and these new "symptoms" will feel real as hell.
When I was 16 I got hypnotised. It took about 4 sessions and from the last session I haven't unreasonably worried about my health for a moment. Some people are skeptical of hypnotism, but it really worked for me, so in my opinion it's worth a try.

I am the same way. I have been like this since 1998. I had this weird ache in my throat one day, and I was convinced I had throat cancer. This went on for three years. then it magically went away after I graduated college. After that, I developed a strange rib disorder right after the death of my mom. Instead of thinking that maybe anxiety was causing this, I went to doctor after doctor, convinced I was dying. I went through the "i think I have AIDS" thing, too, even though I hadn't had sex or been exposed to anyone who had sex.

A few years ago I ended up going to a cognitive therapist who helped me with rational emotive behavioral therapy. It worked a bit, but I have to keep really busy to keep my mind off of things or it comes back. My current fear is that a tiny, swollen lymph node on my neck cancer. So... you're not alone.

My advice to you is to repeatedly tell yourself that this is anxiety and try to focus on something else. Whatever your favorite hobbies are, do them. Go out with friends, anything.

Someone once told me that if you go to sleep at night and the problem persists while you sleep, then it's probably a real health concern, but if it goes away at night and only begins again when you wake up in the morning, then it's probably anxiety.

I have somatization disorder, so I should know. I can cause things to happen in myself.

Best of luck to you, I hope you can beat this health anxiety. ^__^

I can relate to this. I spent the morning looking up symptoms for two different cancers. health anxiety can also be guilt related (guilty about drinking, sex, whatever). I visualize myself as a blue tube.

Yes, I understand and am new on here too I have had anxiety for two years. Somedays are good but, the past week as been hard No idea WHY?

So sad these thoughts are always in my head just like you... I'm 31 I have 4 children a newbown and I'm always worried about something... I just wish I didn't... i wish it would just go away and let me enjoy the time with my hubby and kids!

ME too! It is actually getting to be quite comical. My husband is so sick of it. I think you just have to have faith that is something is really wrong, you will know it. I think we worry so much because we think we can control the outcome and you CAN'T. If you are going to get cancer, you will but most people don't die from cancer. In fact, only 20% of the population will die from cancer. You can't stop it, but you can focus on good health and exercise and living LIFE. Think of all the homebound people unable to even step outside to enjoy the sunshine.
I actually spent nearly 10 yrs stressed out I had HIV and too scared to go get a test. I then had to have a test when I got pregnant and I stressed for about a half a second. It was fine and I spent 10 YEARS worrrying about it. HIV will not kill you. Go get tested. if you have it, you will deal with it. I highly highly doubt you do, but set your mind at ease. It is now a treatable condition.

Definately...everything makes me think that I have a dire health situation..but sometimes it can be overwhelming..mines is to the point where I can't even sleep most nights...I have to do something to switch my mind over to something else like watching tv, reading a book or surfing the internet...It's pathetic !!! TRUST ME...I know EXACTLY how u feel...I just hate when u try to explain it to someone & they laugh it off & tell u ur crazy...it's hard...

I can relate to how you are feeling. When my anxieties started I of course tensed up, mostly on my left side. I was transcribing for a lung doctor at the time(and I am a smoker).So everyday I seemed to hear cancer, cancer,cancer..now every time something hurts, in my head I have something terminal. When I think about it then every thing starts hurting! Its a scary thing!

Yes, I did and now not so much. First I start my day with prayer. I ask God to give me strength to deal with this and to take over my thoughts to keep them positive. Then I do affirmations. For example: I have total confidence in my ability to heal myself. I feel radient with abundant energy and vitality. I enjoy my positive thoughts and feelings. I deserve health, vitality and peace of mind, I listen to my body's needs and regulate my activity level to take care of thiose needs. I am pleased with how I handle my emotional needs, My body is healthy and strong. I am thankful for all the positive things in my life., etc. etc. Then I close my eyes and visualize that I am a big, strong oak tree. My trunk is big, thick and strong (body) and my limbs stretch out far and wide(arms) and my roots go deep into the earth for miles (my legs,) I feel solid, stron and grounded.

If I have a health scare, like I think my heart hurts, or any other scary thought, I tell myself if it last for only five or so minutes, I know it is anxiety and it is no big deal, And if it the pain last for twenty minutes then I need to call a doctor. That calms my fear, changes my thoughts to rational, and now I am in control.