Health Anxiety

[ashleybakerr01]

How do you deal with health anxiety? How do I calm the racing thoughts that something is wrong with me and my body? It gets so overwhelming sometimes, that it throws me into panic attacks. Any advice would be great. Thanks in advance

[Fearoffear]

Hi Ashley I have suffered health anxiety for 12 years. I didn't go to doctors because I was afraid of what they would find for over 12 years. Then after 10 years I wanted a doctor but no one would take me. Long story short I went to the hospital in July and they thought something was wrong with my heart and I did a nuclear stress test in August and found a doctor and say him at the end of August and I was driving myself nuts for nothing. Nothing wrong with my health and I'm losing weight with CICO since January I am officially down 65 pounds. I am not letting it hold me hostage anymore. I get heart palpitations and I found out that it is hormone fluctuations because I am old and getting ready for the change. I was agoraphobic for five years. You can overcome this I promise. I have been almost two month without symptoms of anxiety, panic or health anxiety and yes I do get sensations to which I reply everything is fine and my body and mind finally believe me. Do I worry about a relapse, yes I believe I wouldn't be human if I didn't have it in the back of my mind all the time I just don't let it come forward whenever it wants. So get what the health anxiety says is wrong checked out but after that it will find other worries to make you think about don't let it you have the power not anxiety. Gentle hugs you got this!! 🫂

[ashleybakerr01 in reply to Fearoffear]

 anxiety is a liar

[ashleybakerr01 in reply to Fearoffear]

It has taken over my life for over a month now. I'm trying to get my life back, but it just seems impossible most times

[pamb67 in reply to ashleybakerr01]

your right it is

[Agora1]

Hi ashley

This is a meditation that I have found calming on YouTube

"20 minute Guided Meditation for Reducing Anxiety & Stress/Clear the

Clutter to Calm Down" by The Mindful Movement. Breathe xx

[ashleybakerr01 in reply to Agora1]

 I'll look it up now. I've been thinking about getting into meditation but don't know how

[Agora1 in reply to ashleybakerr01]

Meditation is something that must be practiced every day. It takes time for your

mind to accept what is being told. Don't worry if your mind wanders while listening

to this video. xx

[pamb67 in reply to ashleybakerr01]

start small just 5 mins of just closing your eyes that's enough

[jackiesj in reply to Agora1]

I use this too its wonderful and alexa also has some ideas...never did i think she would be so beneficial. sometimes being alone, with my own thoughts and pain...is very hard.It took about two months before i enjoyed meditation. hang in there...

[Agora1]

How precious pixie is. I'm glad you are out enjoying the beautiful month

of October. That in itself is meditation. I too enjoy driving through the

tall trees shedding their beautiful colored leaves. It fills me with a sense

of gratitude for nature in all it's glory. You're doing good. Keep going forward xx

[SayNOtoPanic]

Hi Ashley. I would recommend meditation for sure like a guided meditation audio or video from YouTube maybe start with 2-3 minutes only and then add minutes every few days to increase. Also mindfulness not sure if you’ve tried that. Basically identify objects or people or anything around you and say in your mind ‘I’m noticing the table is made of wood, or I’m noticing the sound of the radio’. You’re just noticing and it helps re direct your mind from the thoughts.

[punkster]

Therapy, meditation, regular exercise and an antidepressant helped me. There are some antidepressants which help with obsessive thoughts. It also helps me if I work, as my job is mentally challenging.

[designguy]

Sounds like you know the most important realization which is anxiety is truly a liar. This helps you start to understand what is going on and accept that the bodily sensations are just normal sensations, pains and aches that come and go constantly. The problem becomes when we start to hyper focus on them and believe that they shouldn't be there and may mean something and we blow it out of proportion. When you aren't stressed or feeling anxious, try paying attention to your body and you will realize that you have all of the body sensations normally throughout the day but you haven't been aware of them. Sometimes your anxiety is really due to being overly stressed about something or from repressed emotions so you might investigate what is the origin of your anxiety and why you have it. Health anxiety can also be a extreme way of trying to be in control and there is only so much control we have over our body and the rest we have to trust that it will be ok on its own.

Some things that have helped me are definitely knowing that anxiety is a lie and its role was to protect me but i'm a grownup now and can take care of myself. Also practicing simple mindfulness daily which for me is just sitting and being aware of the thoughts floating through my mind like clouds and focusing on my breath. Also sitting with any anxious feelings and letting them come up and get stronger no matter how uncomfortable they are. Writing out the anxious thoughts and just letting them flow, not worrying about editing or what it looks like and just venting. The same for strong emotions like anger/rage. Practicing being kind and compassionate to myself instead of getting angry at myself for being anxious like I use to. Also learning to breathe from the diaphragm and proper breathing for calming down. I found the DARE Anxiety book, youtube videos and phone app to be helpful and the youtube videos of Paige Pradko about health anxiety.

[pamb67]

 so cute your cat 🙀 💕💕💕

[ashleybakerr01]

 oh my goodness your cat is so cute

[ashleybakerr01]

 thank you for all responding. I love this form has been so helpful for me to know I'm not alone

[ashleybakerr01 in reply to ashleybakerr01]

 I will be trying meditation and the things you guys mentioned