Anxiety Support Group

Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...

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Health anxiety

uniqueanonymoususername
uniqueanonymoususername

I am experiencing really intense health anxiety over the last three days. It’s gotten to the point where I want to get an evaluation of my mental state and consider taking medication. I am aware of the adverse health effects from stress. So when I get stressed, it stresses me out more knowing what I’m doing to my body. Every symptom I feel, I am convinced that it’s the worst disease causing it. Once I read a list of symptoms, I am convinced I have all of them even if I wasn’t experiencing them before, I feel like I start to. It’s gotten to the point where my family and partner are having a hard time constantly reassuring me that I’m okay. I’m 23 years old, and should not be worried about these things but they are starting to consume my life. 

ChlKaw
ChlKaw
I can completely relate. I've come to the realisation through talking to a professional that my anxiety is related to health concerns, which I develop in my own head. Then anxiety can cause symptoms which make me think i'm even sicker, and it spirals. Even on those days when I know that anxiety is my only issue, I can be anxious about anxiety.
Have you considered going to a professional (life coach, counsellor etc)? ... My personal approach is to try and deal with the root cause of the issue rather than medicating and potentially masking it, if that seems possible? First step could be to book an appointment with a doctor, who can help you decide what's best for you. And don't type ANYTHING health related into Google, if you can at all help it!! Dr Google is the worst.

I hope you feel better soon xx
uniqueanonymoususername
uniqueanonymoususername
Thank you for reaching out. I am interested in seeking help, but I am also a broke student.. I've looked for resources online for therapy in my area and most therapists cost between $160-$200 for a 50 minute appointment! I know it is something I need to do, but right now it feels so inaccessible.. I have an appointment with one of the councillors at my university, but I think it would be most effective to speak with someone who has direct experience helping individuals with health related anxiety. I have been trying on my own to manage it, but that mostly depends on me seeking reassurance from my partner who is struggling to help me while he also works on his own mental health and schooling. I have noticed that exerting myself physically can help, so I have incorporated some exercise into my routine. Usually I have more of a grasp on my mental health status, but I have experienced two really unexpected losses in my life around three weeks ago. This has really stirred up my death anxiety and by extensions, my health related anxiety too. I hope I can come out of this a stronger person, because the thought of dealing with this degree of anxiety related to health for the rest of my life is daunting.
SimpsonsOK
SimpsonsOK
Unique, it seems that when I feel anxious, it starts a spiral with more building on the one before. There are self help books that teach you techniques to confront and lower anxiety. I also found that in reading many replies to posts here folks have shared the tools they have used that helped them. Some worked for me,; some didn't; but it let me begin to put some tools in my toolbox. Calming and comforting hugs.