Hi everyone! This is my first post and I have to start off by saying how happy I am to have found this group. Knowing I'm not alone in having this problem is very helpful. I've had general anxiety and hypochondria for as long as I can remember. It took me a very long time to identify the issue, and I have been attempting to treat hypochondria/ somatic symptom disorder for the last few years. I wanted to ask if any of you have recommendations for coping with hypochondra-related panic attacks while in a public setting - because that is what I struggle with the most. 

I have been healthy most of my life, but when I did have a serious infection (appendicitis) my doctor dismissed me and I did not receive treatment until my condition had become severe and I quickly went to a hospital. I've also seen my friends hospitalized for unexpected illnesses over the last few years. This has only contributed to my general sense of fear around sickness. I am afraid that when I actually am sick, a doctor (or my family, which is a whole other thing) won't believe me. I've frightened a few of my friends who have seen me lose control over the thought of being unwell, and the disbelief on their faces still haunts me. When I do feel lightheaded or sick in a public setting, I lose all sense of rational thought and become overwhelmed with anxiety, often manifesting in convulsions and sweating. I had a prescription for xanax that occassionally helped, but I started taking it too often and feared I was becoming addicted so had to end my perscription.

Apologies for the lengthy post; if any of you feel you can relate to my experience and you have advice or can detail techniques you use when around friends or family and cannot escape your hypochondriac thoughts, I would greatly appreciate your recommendations.

Thank you!