Yikes! Anxieties getting the best of me!
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| Wed, 08-17-2005 - 9:06pm |
I posted yesterday about my inflammed lymph node. Thanks to all of you who took the time to make me feel better! I was feeling pretty good today but now I just can't seem to rationalize with myself! My lymph node (which is on the back right side of my neck in te middle between the base and the top of the neck) hurts when I touch it (I know, don't touch it!) But the area at the top of my neck by the base of my head also feels tender (like it's bruised). I keep thinking that it must be something really serious (although deep down I know it's not). I'm really mad at myself for letting my thoughts get this bad. I just have an overactive imagination and a bit too much time to think right now. My sister told me today that every little thing we feel every single day could be nothing or it could be something serious. And that the reason I always think it's serious is because I'm always so overly conscious of my body. So things that most people don't even pay attention to, I obsess about. I think she's totally right. But how do I stop this? What does everyone else do to control the negative thoughts that lead to anxieties?
Thanks for your support!

Jellybean :(( I know what you're going through. The best trick is to keep yourself distracted. Whenever I catch myself obsessing over potential medical emergencies i do stuff like take a walk, go to the gym, read the comic section, play mindless computer games (like tetris), bake, cook, call people on the phone, etc. the best thing to do is to distract yourself so that you stop thinking about the inflamed lymph nodes. if you organize a schedule of things to do for the next week the time will fly and before you know it the pain will be gone.
I highly recommend the yahoo! game site, they have really repetitive games and you can chat live with other users as you're playing, it's a double whammy.
Mia
Hi there. I totally can relate. I am terrible about letting things spiral out of control and thinking the worst. I had a thing on my hand that everyone said was a wart and I even used that stuff you buy to remove them, but I was just sure it was skin cancer. I have a big hang up with cancer. I have no idea why. When I get headaches, I think it is a tumor, when I have cold sores, I think it is some terrible disease. And the list goes on and on. I keep thinking that over time, when I see that things most often turn out to be nothing, then I will stop this, but I have not been able to just yet. I have good days and bad days. One thing I stopped doing is looking online for all my symptoms. Don't do that. You will scare yourself and for no good reason. Also, maybe keep a journal of how you feel everyday. I do that and it helps me to see that I am still here and alive just like I was months ago when I was writing in the journal.
Kim
Kim,
I totally have a thing with cancer. It's my biggest fear and anxiety causer. Every time I feel anything I attribute it to some form of cancer. And searching online....guilty! You're totally right, it makes things way worse because ofcourse anything could be a symptom of a major illness. I'm getting better at not going online but sometimes I can't help it! I like your journal idea, I thik I'll start one!
Mia, thanks for the tips! You're so right... I need to occupy my mind!!
Thanks again!
Hi Kim,
I know where you're coming from too!!! Hot spots, pains in chest, pains in the legs, twitch in the eye, blaring sound in my ear, and my huge bugbear, irregular heartbeats!!!
I have been writing in a diary exactly what I am feeling. So if and when they come again I can reread in my diary I that particular feeling and that reassures me that I "lived" through it that time and it was only a symptom of anxiety.
...and yes, I am getting into the groove of distracting myself! Lately I've been volunteering as a helper at a local Dingo Farm here in Australia - I LOVE animals, so it takes my mind of things and gives me so much more confidence... Other things are walking the dogs and yeah housework - YUK! ;)
Hope this helps. To know that it is only anxiety and that cannot harm you, slow balanced breathing and thinking it will pass and you are SAFE is good positive talk for me :) ...and smiling lots! :) :)
Jewlie
xx