Health anxiety

[Naturelover1]

Any advice on having health anxiety? I’m worried everyday that I’m sick, dying or have cancer. It’s taking over my life and I can’t get passed it. I check my body every day for lumps or any new abnormal feeling. I go to the doctor all the time and Google symptoms daily. I’m only 29 and do t understand how I’m supposed to live life like this every day. It’s miserable.

[Logan777]

Is this similar to being a hypochondriac?

[hypercat54 in reply to Logan777]

It's the same thing. Health anxiety is the updated term for hypochondria.

[Catsamaze ADAA Volunteer]

I’m in the same health anxiety boat. I’ve found that if I look for symptoms I’ll find them. It’s important to distract yourself with activities that hopefully you can enjoy. My mantra for this is: Do not react. Distract.

[Dovie]

Hi. I'm new here and you are my first reply. Health anxiety is really terrible. I've had it times in my life and now with this virus, it seems to amplify the health anxiety problems that people have. I found a resource that I really like on YouTube, and it really is helpful. If you go to YouTube and search the anxiety guy you will find his videos. He suffered from health anxiety for years. He has walked the walk and now he talks the talk. Sorry. I accidentally replied to one of your replies so hopefully now replying directly to you. Good luck!

[Naturelover1 in reply to Dovie]

Thank you so much I’ll definitely check it out!

[Joycebabe]

The tricky thing about health anxiety is that you can still be genuinely sick and have health anxiety at the same time. As one dr told told me, though, anxiety itself makes us feel physically sicker, amplifying pain. So, all this creates a vicious cycle hard to break on your own. I started having health anxiety in earnest after my dad died. Now, faced with a possible breast cancer diagnosis, my anxiety is not helping and did not actually help catch the cancer (if it is) sooner. Turns out anxiety is not smart. It's better to look at the standards of care--so if you go to a good dr for a yearly physical, ask him/her what self checks you need to do (such as a breast check) and how often and do only those. If you do the scientific checks and get anxiety under control, you're much more likely to catch an actual physical issue sooner. Please don't let health anxiety work against you. Your health matters too much. Take care.