Freaking Out - Health Anxiety

[Eklektik]

Hi,

I'm finally having an appointment with a dermatologist tomorrow morning about various suspicious skin irregularities (my GP referred me to the dermatologist, I did not imagine these things). I've had hypochondria about this for over a week now. Actually, my anxiety, which used to be about various non medical topics, or about nothing at all, is turning into hypochondria. I have other tests to pass for other health issues that worry me less, but still. I have periods when I can think rationally about these things, but anxiety comes back with a vengeance.

Specifically, I don't know how I will live through this evening, during the night and the morning before my appointment at 11h20. I have found that with my anxiety, letting it be and doing nothing about it eventually helps. I figure hypochondria is just a species of anxiety and I should use the same approach. But for the moment, I am freaking out.

Anyone with tricks to help me with that?

Thanks

I hope you are all as well as can be (hug)

[Megapanda]

Hello , wishing you all the best for the appointment . Try to keep yourself busy thought the day and focus on something else is there is something you enjoy doing or something positive to look forward to after the appointment . Grounding techniques help with panic and anxiety you can Google it or I can send you some links . Meditation can also help , I use this app called balance which has free year trial they have sleep meditation as well . Or you can use medito which is completely free . Also I found journalling or writing down things that on your mind helps as well. Take care

[Eklektik in reply to Megapanda]

Hi Megapanda , I am fortunate that I'll probably have interesting and absorbing tasks at work tomorrow. I'll look up new grounding, breathing and meditation techniques because the ones I already have are not working at the moment. I have never used guided meditation but now seems like a good time to take it up. Thank you so much for your kind reply. Be well!

[Eklektik in reply to Megapanda]

Hi again Megapanda ! Just did an anxiety reducing meditation on YouTube and it helped! Thanks again

[Megapanda in reply to Eklektik]

No worries , glad it helped 😀

[Eklektik in reply to Megapanda]

Hi! Wanted to tell you there was nothing to worry about on my skin and everything is fine. I take the opportunity to thank you again for your support.

[Megapanda in reply to Eklektik]

That's great news . Thanks for the update

[Dkdfree]

Find Claire Weeks on YouTube and just listen and relax.... It'll all be fine.

[Eklektik in reply to Dkdfree]

Thanks Dkdfree, I have her book but have not got around to read it all. Probably a video right now would be within my capacities. Hope you are well!

[Eklektik in reply to Dkdfree]

The dermatologist said everything was fine. I'll make a point of finishing Claire Weekes book before next time. Thanks

[KatarinaWajda]

I also have a fear of medical procedures, doctors, needles, etc. I find when my anxiety and depression are under control, I can handle it a lot better.

[Eklektik in reply to KatarinaWajda]

Yes, when depression and anxiety are not there, these things don't happen, at least not at this magnitude. Hope you are well!

[Eklektik in reply to KatarinaWajda]

Hello Katarina, hope you are well. Just wanted to tell you my skin problems were benign, and the examination involved nothing more than looking at the lesion with a lamp and magnifier!

[Eklektik]

Answer of my core part to my anxious part: see, none of the lesions had anything to do with cancer. Try not to torture yourself like this next time you have a symptom of anything. Or at least remember the n'th times things resolved peacefully.