Hypochondria Support Group
Hypochondria refers to excessive worry about having a serious illness. Hypochondria is often characterized by fears that minor bodily symptoms may indicate a serious illness, constant self-examination and self-diagnosis, and a preoccupation with one's body. Many individuals with hypochondriasis express doubt and disbelief in the doctors' diagnosis.
I'm 24-years-old and drowning in medical bills because of my out of control hypochondria. I've had tests done that the majority of healthy 24-year-olds don't even need to have done:
For "heart problems:"
EKG (about 5 times)
Echo-cardiogram
24 hour holter monitor
Full blood work
For "adrenal tumor:"
24 hour catecholamine urine test
For "colon cancer:"
Colonoscopy
Stool sample
For "blood clot:"
Ultrasound on veins in leg
For general worries:
Numerous doctor's office visits with general practitioner
You know what's ACTUALLY wrong with me? Obviously my mind!
I walked into the heart center today to have an echo test done and I was surrounded by elderly people and all I could think was "I don't think I need to be here." I'm so embarrassed and ashamed of my condition. I feel absolutely compelled to have medical tests done because I always feel there's something physically wrong with me. I look at all of my medical bills and tests and feel so overwhelmed and ashamed.
For "heart problems:"
EKG (about 5 times)
Echo-cardiogram
24 hour holter monitor
Full blood work
For "adrenal tumor:"
24 hour catecholamine urine test
For "colon cancer:"
Colonoscopy
Stool sample
For "blood clot:"
Ultrasound on veins in leg
For general worries:
Numerous doctor's office visits with general practitioner
You know what's ACTUALLY wrong with me? Obviously my mind!
I walked into the heart center today to have an echo test done and I was surrounded by elderly people and all I could think was "I don't think I need to be here." I'm so embarrassed and ashamed of my condition. I feel absolutely compelled to have medical tests done because I always feel there's something physically wrong with me. I look at all of my medical bills and tests and feel so overwhelmed and ashamed.
I feel weird when I get worried about my health as nobody my ages worries about it, and when it happens I try to think that "people my age don't go around dying" or "I've done this exams before and they were ok, why today not?" as a method to calm myself, and seems to work from time to time. maybe you could find a way to calm you other than go to the doctor ;)
When you deal with people who always take from you, and never give back, that's going to leave you emotionally weak and vulnerable to anxiety and panic.
We get much of our emotional validation from the mirroring of our own emotions in the lives and faces of those whom we trust and esteem. If you don't get this, your mind may seek ways of trying to get this need met.
Oftentimes, the only time you may have gotten what you needed and deeply wanted was during times when you were sick as a child. It may well be that you are trying to fulfill a need via hypochondria.
You might also have early life trauma memories that reside in your physical body. These can come out in EMDR and Trauma therapy.