My hypochondria seems to be getting worse

Hey there, so I'm new here. So I've dealt with hypochondria for a good portion of my life, but it's only escalated in the past year or so. It just exploded within the past two weeks after I found out I may have a herniated disc (23 with scoliosis, gotta love that), which sent me into a panic in the doctor's office. Now I'm on a regiment of going to my chiropractor twice a week, but my body is having difficulties adjusting to that. I got a back brace to use for work since I lift heavy objects constantly, and I wore it too much and tightened it too tight so my back and core were sore for 3-ish days. On top of that my sister got diagnosed with mono so here I am freaking out that I might have caught it. Then my body didn't like the yeast infection meds I was taking. So all of that created a weekend of on-and-off anxiety attacks. It felt good to get out of the house and keep my mind off of it, my core feels better, but now my upper back and neck are thrown out and my mind thinks I have a thyroid issue (which it certainly isn't). But now I just feel like breaking down because I feel so drained and tired from forcing myself to not go into a state of panic. Does anyone have any advice to begin ignoring the hypochondria when left to my own devices?

[Hidden]

Maybe try mindful meditation?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

As much as I know meditation is therapeutic, I don't feel mentally prepared to venture down that route just yet. Meditation brought me to some dark places a few years back when I was in a sort of budding cult and there's some lingering PTSD from it (not nearly as severe as it used to be). Maybe I'd be fine if guided in a group setting, but not on my own just yet.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Ok, maybe check out Mark Williams. He is the professor of mindfulness at Oxford University. I find his helpful.

[foxglove_pnw]

Hi ! I am also a hypochondriac and it is such a struggle !

I can’t read or hear any news about people getting sick or dying that I think it is gonna happen to me ! If I have any pain ( I do everyday ) my anxiety goes crazy ! It is exhausting 😭

I also have no idea what to do ! It seems when my antidepressants are working I feel a little better ! Not the case right now !

Good luck ! I feel your pain