Anyone else suffer from hypochondria?
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| Wed, 05-18-2005 - 12:14am |
Hello everyone. I've been visiting the ivillage message boards frequently lately buy somehow didn't notice the mental health boards!!! Anyway, I am curious to know if anyone else out there suffers from hypochondria? I am 25 years old and it has hit me so hard the past year that it's all I ever think about, literally 24-7. Every ache or pain, or even weird sensation I feel can be explained (in my head of course) by some deadly disease. Stroke and heartattack seem to be big ones for me right at the moment. I cannot eat, I cannot sleep , I have stopped focusing on EVERYTHING around me except the pains or aches in my body. I don't even listen to my boyfriend anymore because I'm so focused on dying! It is so out of control - and I don't know what to do about it.
I'm afraid to take any sort of medication because of course, it'll throw me into an allergic reaction, close up my throat and kill me. I have severe allergies and will I take Allegra to help me? NO! I will not take Tylenol Sinus because I've heard that throws your blood pressure up (mine has always been normal but I can't take that chance.) Of course pain relievers are out of the question because of possible liver damage. I'm so screwed up and the funny thing is, I realize how illogical my thinking pattern is. I recognize that I need to change my thought pattern but I can't change it. I'm constantly telling my parents, "my left chest hurts, it's a heartattack isn't it?" They of course, don't realize the severity of what I'm going through and some other's think I'm doing it for attention. I so am not doing it for attention. I honestly think everything is going to kill me. I have no health insurance right now because I just got my masters degree, in school counseling no less(yeh!) and got a new job and it's really getting to me that I cannot get to the doctor to go through the list of aches and pains. I also know that I need counseling, I just can't afford it at the moment and like I said, I have no insurance.
I should also add that I have always had a "streak", shall we say, of hypochondria. Even when I was a little girl. But, it's always come and gone and never been this bad. Also, I have, in the past, been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. My anxiety is way out of control on it's own (I worry about EVERYTHING!!) but this added anxiety over my health is almost too much to take.
I am so, so sorry that I have rambled on like this. I just feel like I don't know who I am anymore and no one understands how I'm feeling. My reason for posting was to see if anyone else has the same thing and how they're working through it - or aren't working through it. How ironic that I went to school for a total of six years to learn how to counsel others and I cannot even help myself. Anyway, does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can work through this until insurance kicks in and I can go to a therapist?? Thanks so much for reading and for any advice you may have!
Edited 5/18/2005 12:38 am ET ET by devmar88

Hello & welcome to our caring community! You are so NOT alone. We would all be rich if we had a penny for reading everyone's story, that's just like your own. It IS serious business for us as it interrupts our lives, jobs, families & puts a monkey wrench in our goals. But there is hope. There is help for you.
It all depends on how long you delay treatment. It is generally accepted that a combination of meds & cognitive behavior therapy yields the best results. Refusing to take meds just won't cut it for most of us. You have to put the fears of *allergic reactions* into perspective. It isn't likely the first time you try a new med. Also, many of us have had long spells of anxiety free living without meds. Don't get overwhelmed by what the future *might* hold. I have had panic for 35 years & am managing very well without meds. I have learned to use relaxation, meditation & abdominal breathing when the anxiety occurs.
Positive thoughts when the hypochondria sets in can be valuable. Fears of fatal illness is common. I am working on allergies right now & I have some head, nose & what feels like neck congestion. I almost freaked out the other night, as I imagined my arteries were blocking to my brain & I would be stroking out soon. The operative word there is *imagined.* We are very creative & sensitive ppl, devmar! LOL
You will find acceptance here. Noone will ridicule you or suggest you are seeking attention. God love ya, gf. Not one of us would ever wish for this kind of attention! Take some time to read the back posts. Check out the *what's new on health* & *off topic* folders below. Post anytime. Join us in chat. Alot of coping skills are exchanged there & the chatters will discuss meds & other treatment options. We want to help. We want to give you the support you're lacking. We care about you & want you to live the good life.
Be kind to yourself. Anxiety disorders strike all sorts of folks. It's an equal opportunity striker. Being a counselor is great work! Until you can get the anxiety under control, stress to yourself the positive aspects of your career. It won't do much good to tear yourself down over this. Good heavens! I worked as a psychiatric nurse for years. I did a good job. But, I had to ask for & accept help. There's no shame in that. This is a flaw in your chemistry, not your character. Good luck & GBU! (((hugs))) jan
Hi there,
You are not alone AT ALL!
I am recently diagnosed with adjustment disorder with severe anxiety.
My 1st symptom was chest pain, I had dh take me to the ER. I thought I was having a heart attack, they even asked me if I ever had anxiety issues.. I hadn't.
A short time later I pulled a sciatic nerve in my back and my hands and feet went numb, I though that I was going to be paralized so dh again took me to the ER. It was nothing and my heart also checked out fine, they even did a CT scan on my head.
Then I had my 1st panic attack and was diagnosed.. I too feel the SAME EXACT way about taking pills.
If you read past posts you will see what I went through last week about taking klonopin, I was SO SCARED that I was going to be allergic and die. I also started a nasal spray and thought that it was going to make my brain bleed.
I took both meds and I am doing so much better.
My therapist really helps me, she reasures me that it's normal to have these feelings and that it will get better.
Until you can get into therapy post on this board anytime and come to chat...!!!!
The girls here have gotten me through all this they are a Godsend!!!
Edit: I also want to add that I am 26 years old, my therapist says that anxiety tends to hit around this age.
~Heather
Ladies,
You are an incredible group of people - thanks so much for your kind advice. I am sorry to hear that many of you go through the same things, but it's also comforting to know that I am not alone.
I'm definitely going to accept your invitation to join in here as you are a very welcoming bunch! Again, thank you for your replies - they really do mean a lot coming from others who have been there. My BF tries, but he thinks I'm crazy!
I'm also going to read through past posts as you all have suggested. I hope I can be there for all of you when you need it as much as you were there for me. Thanks!!