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.
First off I want to say how happy I am to have found this page. I don’t know anyone else in real life that deals with this and I feel like a burden to anyone that I discuss it with. I started crying when I read your posts because it is so relieving to know that even though I feel insane, I am most likely not, and I am certainly not alone. I went through a phase 3 years ago where I thought I was having a heart attack all the time, and where I thought I was allergic to all the foods I was eating. I ended up in the ER because I was having premature ventricular contractions (turns out they are normal but I didn’t know they were) and thought that was going to be the end of me. Xanax helped with the panic attacks, as well as CBT. 3 years later I’ve been doing very well but now I am having a relapse of sorts. I’ve been feeling like I’ve been having trouble swollowing and like food is getting stuck in my throat which has turned into a fear of eating. Went to my primary care doctor today and they referred me to an ENT, but I am now to the point where I haven’t eaten very much in the past 4 days (which probably makes everything worse). It’s so discouraging to have overcome what I refer to as my “mental breakdown” to be caught in another. The most exhausting thing is the internal battle of “you’re dying go to the hospital” and “you’re fine quit being a baby”. I am 23, I am studying what I love in college and doing well. I don’t feel I have time for another mental break. Anyway, I am very relieved to know I am not alone, but discouraged that I have not yet overcome this horrible anxiety. I am curious if anyone else is dealing with the throat thing. Thanks for reading.
My great grandmother was a hyperchondriac and she developed an inability to swallow pills. She was always afraid of choking on them.
I share a fear of being allergic to foods. I am very cautious about eating and rarely try new foods and scan ingredients labels. I'm also terrified of allergic reaction to drugs and take as few as possible. This is difficult sometimes when I need medication.
This is a difficult way to live! Like you, I'm glad I'm not alone. I watch Woody Allen clips sometimes where he's playing a hyperchondriac when I'm in the mood to laugh. It's great to get perspective by watching another person struggle with this. Hang in there!
As for the throat thing - I bet that is scary and nerve-wrecking. I love food and my anxiety has made me so nervous that I can't and don't want to eat. I hope your results bring you some peace of mind.
Hi I hope your hanging in there. Omg let me tell you what you explained has been happening to me for years. Hard to swallow, I will focus on it as I’m trying to swallow my food or even when I’m drinking water. It’s horrible. I’ve avoided eating at times because of it. I even find it hard to swallow my own saliva. I get that feeling like something is stuck in my throat. But as many times as I’ve had these sensations I think to myself I’m ok because it’s been happening for years and it worsens when I have anxiety. It’s hard. You are not alone.
I have been battling hypochondria for several years now. I recently finished my master's degree and have been way to busy to overthink and pay overly close attention to my body "symptoms" but now that I can relax, the worst of me comes out. I finally have time to relapse into this often dark hole that is battling hypochondria. I literally have had "trouble" swallowing recently too. I have felt like there is something stuck in my throat and I can't clear it out. But of course it mostly happens when I am paying attention to it. If I am out with friends, laughing, having a good time and such I don't even feel it. It is only when I am alone with my thoughts that I start to freak out. But see, that's, I think, the hardest part about health anxiety. My rational mind tells me that I am a healthy 24 year old, vegetarian, who exercises every day, don't smoke, don't drink... that nothing really could be wrong with my health.... Yet my irrational mind tells me I have the most aggressive form of breast cancer, or a neurological condition like ALS that is slowly making me lose my swallowing reflexes...
You are NOT alone. Health anxiety is a real condition and we are her to support each other. Every day we make it is a day to celebrate! Keep yourself occupied, away from WebMD, laugh and celebrate the good things in life. Even small accomplishments like successfully not worrying about health for at least 1 hour of our day. We are stronger than we think!
https://youtu.be/Qo6-ldgMhcw