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.
Hello, my name is Ryan. I am 24 years old and I have been dealing with hypochondriasis since I was 15 years old. It all started after my brothers birthday party. We had eatin a lot of red velvet cake and had cherry kool aid for his party. The next morning when I had my morning bowel movement, the toilet bowl was completely red and I panicked and I've never been the same. I've had blood tests, Ct scans, all kinds of things. Ever since that day I have been completely convinced that I have colon cancer. The hell that comes with this is almost unbearable. I have good weeks and bad weeks, but this last week has been extremely tough. I have self medicated for years with numerous drugs, and the ironic part is in the long run, it has only made my anxiety worse. The symptoms I have are very much real to me. I'm too scared to go to the doctor and get a thourough examination of my digestive system, I'm just terrified of what he will tell me. But I'm just about at my wits end. I can't keep living like this, my whole family thinks I'm crazy and it's all in my head. Last night I looked this group up and a lot of the stories I read were very similar to mine. Last night I was on google obsessively, looking up all kinds of things. Now I am pretty much convinced I have leukemia. It's always something new and exciting. It's like a sick addiction when I find a disease that matches my symptoms, because even though I get terrified, I don't feel so crazy. I just wanted to reach out and find some support from people who actually know what I am going through. Thank you to anyone who took the time to read this post, any feedback would be appreciated.
I too do the same things you do. My hypochondriac started a few years ago and I couldn't even tell you how many times I have been to the ER over nothing. It sucks.. but sometimes for me, I just have to say the outlandish thing that I am thinking to someone then I realize how dumb I sound. As for you, you obviously don't have colon cancer but I know what it's like to think that way.. currently, I think I have brain cancer, diabetes, heart disease, you name it and I think I have it. It gets better. What has helped me is I just try to live in the moment, accept life the way it is currently. My motto is "I will know when something is wrong-my body will let me know. I will not have to convince myself that I have symptoms because if there were something wrong I wouldn't have time to think about, I would be acting on it". It gets better! We have good days and bad days. Prayers your way :)
I remember going to urinate one night about 8 years ago and seeing red come out. I FREAKED OUT! It wasn't until after I called my sister-in-law who is a P.A. that I realized I had eaten red beats for lunch and that it was not blood in my urine. I have been scared of just about every other illness you can imagine, but I have no diagnoses of anything bad...yet I'm still on this forum wondering how I can be better.
As you have probably read on here, googling symptoms (for people like us) will lead you to an unwarranted death sentence. As difficult as it is, I avoid searching on the Internet at all costs...because I know where it will lead me.
Since you have not followed up on this post, I assume you are doing ok.