you have a vivid imagination and allowing it to get carried away. that's what worry is.

the question is, why are you doing it?

as for your fear of going crazy, that is probably the most common fear of mankind. it's amazing how much mankind has achieved in spite of its fears and is achieving every day.

you can use your imagination to picture what you want instead of what you don't want.

we all can choose an attitude of fear or faith. our culture is constantly absorbed in crises. but, we do not have to "buy into" that mentality.

i know it's not easy to change your way of thinking, it isn't for me either, but it is the best thing we can do for ourselves.

good luck to you. :)

thanks for the advice

I do the exact same thing! Actually all of my anxiety is over my health and the fear of dying! it sucks I know! I just continue to tell myself I will be fine. It seems like if I am sick or physically wore down it is worse!

Most people with anxiety or panic are preoccupied with their health and become what many people call "pulse takers". You start taking your pulse or blood pressure constantly. It's a bad habit to get into, but also an easy one to break with the right help.

I used to be the same way... always checking my heart rate, checking myself for fever, wondering what that little pain was, or that tingle, or why is my toe numb?, etc., etc.... any little physical change was considered a threat, and I was always certain I was having a heart attack, or a stroke, or some other horrible thing. This is typical of people with anxiety and panic, and all you can do is try to rationalize it - the physical symptoms aren't all in your head, but the outcome you fear IS.

Hi Rolly,
I haven't been on much lately, but I forget if you are on meds?
Are you taking anything for your obsessive thought patterns?
I know when we chatted awhile back you were worried about your health and your panic attacks.
There are some really good meds that can help with your obsessive thoughts that might help you with your worries about your health.

i have health anxiety big time. unfortunately for me, in my line of work i know what mt symptoms 'could' be and seeing sick people reinforces a lot of my fears.

Sometimes I think the anxiety is worse than actually getting sick!!! I started reading this book my psych. recommended called 'Changing the way you think' - so far it's awesome but I'd only recommend if you're someone who likes reading as it it's a bit full on...but so far I've found it helpful!!!

You're definetly not alone - you'll see lots of us posting about symptoms we have and how we're convinced we have something horrible when in reality, it's just anxiety.

i have this badly - i have had anxiety for 9 years now started when i was pregnant with my daughter - however i had a suspected ectopic pregnancy about 4 years ago and for me that kicked of the health anxiety badly - every little thing if i got bleedin in my shoulder im internally bleeding and having ectopic even when im not pregnant lol - its stupid - however thats my own fault also for looking things up and watching hospital programs - since i have stopped looking things up ive been better but still a long way to go

Is there any meds that deals with the obessive thoughts

Talk to your doctor love and explain your fears, your physcologist should be able to help you with coping skills to overcome your fears.
I dont know if there are mes that help with this but you can ask your doctor.
Everytime you start worrying about your health ask your self is this really realistic thought, am i going to have a heart attack, im a healthy and young so no im not having a heart attack, it,s just anxiety and nothing more.
Have a go at reading the book :changing the way you think and do the homework exercises, it will take practice but am sure it will help get you through this lovie.
All The Best To You!
Hugs.

Did something happen to you recently? After my dad died, I worried obsessively about prostate cancer. My psych helped me connect it to uncompleted grief, and it went away. Odd how one problem can manifest itself as another.

rolly talk to your doctor there are meds that help with OCD. Paxil and Effexor are two very good ones for that. OCD is a disorder that really can't be controlled on your own.
If the meds help you to get control and not worry so much then it might be worth considering them.

much of the anxiety that most of us feel is health related. I see you are young. I was your age when this all started for me. I'm so glad that you feel like you can come to a place like this and talk about your feelings. I wish that I had had this outlet when I was your age. 30 years later, I still suffer - I think it just took me too long to ask for help. Good luck to you...

Is there any way to beat this with out meds

I've had it since a small child (the health anxiety) which was triggered by my sister being seriously ill (due to being born premature)...and now am 26 and realised I should get help as it affects my ability to enjoy everyday life!

I've chosen not to have meds at this stage. It was so bad a few weeks ago I had a GP appoint to ask for some but then suddenly started feeling better so didn't go. I did do a mental health plan with my GP (I'm in Australia so it varies) and she gave me a referral to see a psychologist who specialises in CBT. I've only been once but feel really good just knowing I'm taking some steps. He's a bit quirky but very nice and so far he gave me a relaxation tape (which I can't listen to as I don't have a tape player) and the book '"changing the way you think" by ??.

For me, I don't think meds are the answer as I have a very strong genetic predispoistion (both due to family history and personality) to this and my psych. said that I will probably never be "anxiety free" but I just need to learn how to manage it on a day to day basis.

I also saw a naturopath a while back and the homeopathy she gave me helped as a short term thing but it isn't something you can safely take longterm.

Hope that helps a little.

My trouble is my vivid imagination - I am really in extremely good health, but sometimes when I am in a bad mood I will worry needlessly about every little twinge.

However - I never want to be one of those people who is constantly
telling everyone about every little symptom. My attitude is if I feel
unwell I should tell my doctor and not bore everyone.