IS ANXIETY A THIEF

[Geezer46]

I believe it is, i have severe health anxiety and i have been robbed of years of happiness by this thief.

I have tried everything pills,cbt,psychology,acupuncture,reflexology,reiki and probably more i have forgotten.My wife has been my rock and i cannot thank her enough for standing by me.

I know i should just roll with it but when every little ache or twitch scares you silly it is hard to do,especially as there are so many illnesses.

If anyone out there would like to write to me about health anxiety i would very much like that,We have no groups in England for people like me and it can feel lonely with no one to talk to.

Best wishes to all suffering anxiety Geezer46.

[EleanorRose]

Yes, I think it is. I have been thinking a lot about similar things over the past few days.

I also suffer with health anxiety - I think we have spoken before on some of my posts.

I discussed with my therapist last week about how I don’t really feel like i’m achieving anything and there’s no purpose to my life - just stuck continually worrying and fearing the worst. My therapy homework this week is to think about my values and what’s important to me, anxiety aside.

It’s tough and so easy to look back with regret, especially with health anxiety. My health anxiety is always worst in the summer and I think back to previous summers when I thought I was dying (and clearly wasn’t - because here I am, worrying about dying for another summer)

It’s sad to think of all of the things I have missed out on when, in hindsight, I needn’t have worried.

I saw a picture/quote a little while ago, I have it saved, which says “Time is not wasted. We know where it went and we won’t be putting it there again” I’ve been trying to use that to remind myself not to get caught in the same traps I have been for years, but it’s tough.

[Geezer46 in reply to EleanorRose]

Hi Eleanor

you are so like me we had a glorious summer in England last year,and all i did was to waste it worrying.I also do not get any real benefit from my psychologist i simply believe she does not understand h/a.You have to have it to know what it is about.If you have a look at [the glow hypochondria]these women really understand h/a,i asked my therapist to take a look at it to see what really goes on in the mind of a hypochondriac but she flatly refused and was not pleased i had looked at it.

Yes of course i regret all the years of worry,that have gone and i will never get back,nor will my wife.

Please take a look at the[ glow hypochondria],,it may come up under mamamia i think they changed the name of the mag,these women truly know what we suffer everyday,my therapist should have had a look to give her a real insight of what i try to tell her.

Thank you so much for your reply Eleanor,Geezer46.

[joibronxen]

Most definitely! It has robbed me of fulfilling relationships with pretty much anyone. And, even though I adore my kids more than breathing, and frankly, I do have to say that I am a great mom- they just deserve so much more. And I get angry that my depression has robbed them of what they deserve from me. My depression pairs with anger a lot and that, too, has harmed many of my relationships. It just takes so much from us and those we love.

[Geezer46 in reply to joibronxen]

Thank you so much for your reply.

Health anxiety has stolen so much from me for the last 25 years,not only me but my wife too.You are so right it does steal from those we love love my wife so much and there is so much i would like to do,and be happy like i used to be but h/a gets in the way of our happiness.Days out used to be a joy but now i dare not go far so we have not had a holiday for the last few years.

I truly believe to understand how we feel you have to go through it,my therapist does her best but h/a is an impossible illness,do you agree?

Finding people to talk about it is very hard,i do not know anyone else with it so writing on here is the only way to talk to people who know what i am saying.

My very best wishes to you joibronxen,Geezer46.

[joibronxen in reply to Geezer46]

If you don't mind my asking, what health issues are you referring to? I just found this group yesterday and already am encouraged to find a supportive environment where I'm not alone. I do have days where I feel like it's impossible. But things like exercise and painting help my mind...as well as writing. I never get to do those things...but I do have the knowledge that they would help! lol...Do you happen to have anything that could help your mind that you're not doing right now?

[Geezer46 in reply to joibronxen]

I have health anxiety i worry about all things concerning my health.Every ache or twinge has to be something serious it drives me nuts.I am new on here myself so i am looking for people like me.

I have already had prostate cancer,and i worry that i may get something else,if you see what i mean?

Thank you so much for replying to me joibronxen,what do you worry about?

Best wishes Geezer46.

[joibronxen in reply to Geezer46]

I see. That sounds very stressful and worrisome. I do worry about all of the little health things as well, but I always seem to come back to the notion that, if I would take care of myself (eating completely CLEAN, etc), a lot of these pains and twinges, etc. would likely go away. Rather than those thoughts, my mind is mostly clouded by brain fog, depression, insecurity, and fear of ruining my kids...and never feeling like I can seem to get my head above water and get my shit together...I just feel like a jumbled mess most of the time.

[Geezer46 in reply to joibronxen]

I am with you on eating clean,we eat lots of fresh fruit and veg and no animal meat,just free range chicken and fish.

I can see why you are anxious,explain to your kids your insecurity,and that things have to change or you will finish up having a breakdown,and that would be bad for all of you.You have to put your point of view an ill parent would be no good to them so far from ruining them you will be saving them.

All my best to you Geezer46.

[joibronxen in reply to Geezer46]

Thank you. I do communicate with my children and they are really great with everything. I try to model for them, expressing when I need a break, letting them know if I’m feeling anxious and need some calm, etc. It’s important to me that they learn it’s okay to have feelings and to ask for what you need. I do feel that I’m on the up side these days...but those waves sure can come in now and then and take us out, can’t they??

And yes! I’m just starting the process of transitioning our home into a more healthy/clean living one.

[MoodieC]

Hi, I have the same issue. I used to be happy and outgoing, now I feel as though I am nothing. I would love to chat with someone to help me get through this time.

[Geezer46 in reply to MoodieC]

Hi Moodie.

of course i will chat with you,and hopefully help you and me sort through our problems.

How long have you been like this?and what issues are bothering you?

Best wishes to you Geezer46.

[foxglove_pnw]

Hi Geezer46 ,

I can totally relate to what you wrote!

My catastrophic thinking every time my body hurts is debilitating at times . I had to stop reading /watching the news because it would trigger me if I heard any health related stories . I have had so many weird fears and phobias through the years .

Hang in there ! You are not alone !

[Geezer46 in reply to foxglove_pnw]

Hi foxglove.

I am so pleased to here from you,but i am sorry you feel the way you do.Yes health issues are in the news all of the time, on tv and newspapers and it always seems bad news.The adverts on tv are awful they are always about cancer.

For people like us with h/a there seems no escape,i know i am not alone but it feels as though i am,writing to people with h/a helps so if you want to keep in touch i will always reply.

Best wishes foxglove ,Geezer46.