I don’t know how much more I can take

[Ellesbells12]

Hi all

I hope everyone is well.

I know I posted a few days ago, saying I felt a little better. Now I feel like things are 100 times worse.

I’m constantly terrified I’m dying, my health anxiety is ruining my life.

The sharp chest pains, the pain in my throat and upper chest when breathing in. Feeling breathless and faint and dizzy. Pain all over my body, yet I’m told it’s all just anxiety, I’m just imagining these symptoms. When to me, these symptoms are so much worse and scaring the life out of me.

Multiple ECGs and blood work this year, doctors have listened to my lungs. Everything is clear and normal.

I just don’t know what to do or where to turn. My medication doesn’t seem to have much affect and CBT and ACT therapy do nothing.

I feel like I’m a hypocrite as I’m a nursing student wanting to help others, when I can’t even seem to help myself

[Downandout123]

I am so sorry you are feeling this way. Please take a look at Jeff 1943s post, posted about 6 hours ago. Also look at his profile for other wonderful posts he has made about anxiety.. I have not been able to get through the panic and fear, but I am trying. Even right now as I write this, I am experiencing terrible anxiety.

[Ellesbells12 in reply to Downandout123]

Thank you very much! I will have a look. Have this awful fear something must be wrong with my heart or lungs read all these awful stories about people going undiagnosed and just terrifies me

[Downandout123 in reply to Ellesbells12]

It seems like so many people on this site are riddled with health anxiety.😔 I really urge you to read everything Jeff writes, and he also recommends an old book to buy, about conquering anxiety.

[FearIsALiar in reply to Ellesbells12]

Have you had tests done?

[Ocean_of_thoughts]

U r not alone in this. health anxiety has been a part of my battles too. So whenever u feel this way,try repeating to urself that everything is alright and that u have medical proof in concluding so.try speaking up to someone who understands .ask them to keep convincing u that everything is perfectly fine every time u feel anxious. But u do need to tell them this .for me it brings a relief. U can do this.

[Ellesbells12 in reply to Ocean_of_thoughts]

Thank you so much

[BlueSky125]

Its wrong to say that the symptoms you are experiencing are imagined. That infers that they are not happening or don't exist. Saying it's all in your head or just anxiety doesn't help or provide any real solutions. These symptoms are real and in some ways worse because there is no clear solution.

I tend to think of health anxiety as an outlet for anxiety in general. There is something that isn't right and the mind is working to determine what is wrong. So the mind/body over reacts to differ symptoms , which creates a negative feedback loop resulting in symptoms getting worse and worse overtime. I wouldnt try to work on the symptoms directly , but anxiety in general. You could look at life issues, for example you may be overwhelmed with your school work or maybe what expectations you have for yourself. Ive had problems with negative thoughts , health anxiety in the past and never worked on them directly. I made progress in general and the thoughts and symptoms dissipated overtime.

[Ellesbells12 in reply to BlueSky125]

Thank you for your kind reply! I’ve really struggled today, just need to be positive and have trust in my GPs! Hopefully these feelings soon pass

[FearIsALiar]

I know how you feel 😞 I struggle with health anxiety too. Certainly doesn’t help we are in a pandemic

[Ellesbells12 in reply to FearIsALiar]

Oh it’s awful isn’t it