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, I'm new to the forum and have been dealing with health-related anxiety for about 5 years now. I just thought I would come here to rant and see if anyone else has similar experiences.
I've been having on and off problems with anxiety for the past 6 months or so but have handled it fairly well. I gradually learned that my chest pain, racing heart, headaches, and muscle aches are all anxiety related. However, it seems that as soon as I get used to one of these anxiety symptoms, a new one takes its place. I stop being completely terrified when my heart races only to start having chest pain, I learn to ignore the chest pain and I have numbness in my limbs. I just can't win.
Last night at around 3 am I woke up with a nagging pain behind my shoulder blade. I've been having that off and on for months so I didn't really react. I just went about my business and tried to go back to sleep. Then suddenly my entire torso went completely cold as if I had filled myself with menthol. I was shaking and ready to call 911 but my boyfriend calmed me down and it went away after a few minutes of him holding me. I had never had anything like that happen before but I suspect that this is just yet another new anxiety symptom.
My concern is that even if it were something to actually be concerned about, I would just assume that it is anxiety related. Like the boy who cried wolf, what will happen when something is actually wrong? More worries, just what I need.
I will probably talk to my doctor about this new symptom. I just feel bad calling her every other day when there is nothing physically wrong with me. Last time I put off talking to her about a weird symptom (burning sensation in my arm), it turned out I had shingles (and I'm only 29).
Anyway, I guess this is a rant or venting or whatever, but I think it would be helpful to know if other people have the same problem with their bodies constantly trying to trip them up with new symptoms. Why can't my brain and the rest of my body just be friends?!
I've been having on and off problems with anxiety for the past 6 months or so but have handled it fairly well. I gradually learned that my chest pain, racing heart, headaches, and muscle aches are all anxiety related. However, it seems that as soon as I get used to one of these anxiety symptoms, a new one takes its place. I stop being completely terrified when my heart races only to start having chest pain, I learn to ignore the chest pain and I have numbness in my limbs. I just can't win.
Last night at around 3 am I woke up with a nagging pain behind my shoulder blade. I've been having that off and on for months so I didn't really react. I just went about my business and tried to go back to sleep. Then suddenly my entire torso went completely cold as if I had filled myself with menthol. I was shaking and ready to call 911 but my boyfriend calmed me down and it went away after a few minutes of him holding me. I had never had anything like that happen before but I suspect that this is just yet another new anxiety symptom.
My concern is that even if it were something to actually be concerned about, I would just assume that it is anxiety related. Like the boy who cried wolf, what will happen when something is actually wrong? More worries, just what I need.
I will probably talk to my doctor about this new symptom. I just feel bad calling her every other day when there is nothing physically wrong with me. Last time I put off talking to her about a weird symptom (burning sensation in my arm), it turned out I had shingles (and I'm only 29).
Anyway, I guess this is a rant or venting or whatever, but I think it would be helpful to know if other people have the same problem with their bodies constantly trying to trip them up with new symptoms. Why can't my brain and the rest of my body just be friends?!
So, yeah I can definitely relate to what you're going through...
I'm thinking of calling my doctor, just to reassure myself. I also worry that one of these times it could be something real and I'll talk myself out of calling thinking it's just my anxiety...it's a vicious cycle!
Hang in there!
You hang in there too
I too have had this same condition for more years than I can count..
Same condition.. . Just a continuous and ever- changing set of symptoms..! It can get so very discouraging..!. Have you tried anything that actually helps, or perhaps there is someone out there, who
may actually have some good/ helpful advice, on how to best cope with this hellish syndrome.. I would welcome any and all comments
on the subject..' ' Sincere and hopeful thanks ***
(Quintara ~