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.
Hi all! I'm new here and am really struggling. I'm a 31 year old female, married with an 8 month old and 2 1/2 year old. For the past 2 months my hypochondria has been very obsessive. It's ruining my life. I can't concentrate on my family or any hobbies. It all started with back pain which I went to the doctor for, it went away and then abdomen pain in the right lower quadrant came on. After constant googling and trips to 4 different doctors, I still didn't have a "worthy" diagnosis. After injuring my mid back by baby wearing I finally went to the ER complaining of all my ailments. They did an ultrasound, CT scan, and blood work and everything looked great. I was referred to an Orthopedic doctor. I had a small sense of relief and that was 2 days ago. Then yesterday I had a deep tissue massage for my birthday. I haven't had one in 3 years and she found a lot of trigger points to hold down. It felt great once I was done. About an hour later I started feeling a lump(or something stuck in my throat) on the left side, I also started feeling drunk, which progressed to a slightly nauseous feeling. And just like that I was back on my phone googling. I was reading an article about why massages can make you sick and came across a comment that in very rare cases a Carotid Artery dissection can happen. Now I'm convinced that I have one and will surely suffer a stroke. I can't enjoy my babies, hell I can barely parent because I'm so stuck in my head and on medical forums. I feel like I'm losing my mind. I just want to be able to enjoy life again.
I so completely relate to what you are saying. I am also a mum - older than you at 44 and my kids are older (6 and 10), but I also feel like I can't enjoy my children because I am always so scared that something will happen to me, or to them or anyone I love. I am so upset that I struggle with this so many hours a day that I am not enjoying the fact that I don't have any serious illness (although I am still scared daily that I do). I feel sick or bad almost all of the time and I know that I am tuning into every body sensation and magnifying it but I honestly don't know how to stop. I don't know what the answer is, I wish I did. I tried banning myself from googling and that worked for a little while but then I started again. Google is the worst for health anxiety. Anyway, I just wanted to say you are not alone.