hypochondriac's out there?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
hypochondriac's out there?
6
Mon, 12-05-2005 - 5:49pm

Ok so I truly believe I am a hypochondriac. I am constantly worring about every possible illness that could happen to me. For instant I ate an fruit and nut bar that I have eaten many times before when I had this thought in my head "what if I have a peanut allergy and I don't know it", which I know is completly untrue because I have eaten peanuts my whole life with out any problems. I just kept thinking about this story I read about a girl who died from a peanut allergy and I have worked myself into a frenzy. Does anyone here suffer with hypochondria? If so what methods have you used to treat it? Are there any good books out there about the subject I could buy. I want to get over this bad. My therapist has been talking to me about my fears but it doesn't seem to be helping.

Candie

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2003
Mon, 12-05-2005 - 7:00pm

I've been dealing with a bit of hypochondria. Mine all started when I actually did get sick. I thought I was dying even though it was just a kidney infection. Ever since then I have such irrational fears that I have cancer, heart or cardiovascular diseases, etc. A simple headache will throw me into a panic thinking that I have a tumor or something serious. I had to force myself to stop going on medical websites such as WebMD. If I start hearing about someone else's health conditions on television I have to oftentimes turn the channel.

I'm on Zoloft and not only is it helping my anxiety and panic attacks but it's starting to help with the hypochondria.

Jennifer

"Oh, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evi

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Mon, 12-05-2005 - 8:30pm

Here's a good site, Candie. iVillage is

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2004
Tue, 12-06-2005 - 12:10am
Hi Candie-Yup, I think I have a little hypochondria myself. You got some great tips from Jan and Blue marlin girl. I too, quit looking at WebMD, It just made my mind worry even more. Hopefully some others will chime in and give us some pointers to get rid of this pesty hypochondria!
Please take care and post soon! hugs, shasta
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2004
Tue, 12-06-2005 - 12:19am

OMG! The story you told sounds like a page from my life, Bluemarlin girl! I have had the same experiences, and also have told myself that I should not look at WebMD, or I too will change the tv channel if I hear about someones medical issues-if it starts to bug me.
I am on Zoloft too, My pdoc just up'ed me to 200mg, So it is encouraging that you stated the Zoloft has helped your hypochondria. That is wonderful! Yay for you!
I read your bio too, and it seems we have much in common, besides us both being Libra's! (There are lots of us Libra's here on the board, pretty scary, huh? LOL!)
I am so happy Zoloft is working for you. That is wonderful news! :0D
Can I ask how long you have been on Zoloft?
I just started it about 3 months ago...

Keep us posted on how you are doing, bluemarlin girl!
Hugs!
shasta

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2005
Tue, 12-06-2005 - 9:12am

Hi Candie. I've been sick the majority of my life so I've stayed well-informed of all diseases/potential illnesses. I think that's the problem. I've learned that I need to stay away from the internet and medical books and stop overinforming myself because I create the disease in my mind and convince myself I have it. Just the other day I needed a chest xray and I was sure I had lung cancer.

Sometimes I have to stop myself and say, "what is the worst that will happen?" If I had cancer I'd have to deal with it and find a way to cope. I'd have to get treatment and do whatever it took to get well. Some things are out of our control. I realize that things that are out of my control cause me anxiety but in reality there's nothing you can do about it other than change your way of thinking.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2005
Tue, 12-06-2005 - 9:17am
I'm a Libra too!