health anxiety

[Daisy425]

slightly embarrassed to be posting this, but for a few months now I have really been struggling with anxiety around sickness. I am scared of getting the stomach bag or any kind of illness that could cause me to throw up. I’m also worried about covid. I got it back in July and those five days in isolation completely alone were awful for my mental health. Recently I saw my brother, and a day after seeing him he told me he was sick with a fever and upset stomach. He tested negative for covid. However I have been making myself so anxious over this knowing there a chance I could get what he has, even though I was wearing a mask when I was around him. Anyone else have this fear? I feel alone in it. What works for you to cope?

[Redfox9]

i have had experienced it. I was isolated for 7-13 days (too much).

I just kept watching the same light hearted comedy show which I had watch many times. I watched sports to keep me occupied.

[Daisy425 in reply to Redfox9]

thank you for the suggestion!

[DoggieLoverbon in reply to Redfox9]

I 2nd this! For me watching something like family guy or American dad can help distract me

[HelpMe86]

Omg I'm having anxiety due to health but I'm not sure if I even have a problem....o yeah no need to be embarrassed this is a support community....my best advice is to just breathe...you can go see my recent post to see what I'm saying...I'll also message you and share some breathing exercises I've learned

[Daisy425 in reply to HelpMe86]

I would love that thank you! So sorry to hear you are also struggling with health anxiety! We’re in this together!

[EndUser13]

Health anxiety is terribly common and with all the hype about various kinds of sicknesses its hard to put it out of your mind. Sometimes thats what we have to do with anxiety though, just "tough it out", do our best to rationalize things and then put it out of our mind. What's going to happen will happen, so why make yourself suffer with worry... that's the ideal anyway, I'm sure most people who use this forum have trouble getting comfortable with being uncomfortable.

It sounds like you have done your due diligence so by all means, offer yourself some kindness. Tell yourself you're healthy and try not to obsess. I worked at a couple of delis when I was younger and have a very mild obsession with washing my hands all the time. It's good to have healthy habits, so long as they do not become compulsive or disruptive.

[Daisy425 in reply to EndUser13]

thank you so much. You are right that I need to offer myself some kindness. That really resonated with me !

[CL3V3R-G1RL]

I have emetophobia (fear of vomiting)

I had that fear since I started having anxiety attacks in elementary school. At that time I didn't know what they were. I threw up when I get overly anxious. Ever since then I'm afraid of throwing up in front of people and even just by myself.

Its common fear. Vomiting isn't fun. But notice when you do you usually feel better after you get whatever that upset your stomach out of it, you start to feel better. That's what my psychologist told me to frame it like that.

With me getting diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Being prescribed too much medication for it. Set me in a spiral. I was so scared. Felt like my body betrayed me. Like I was falling apart. Now that I finally got my thyroid medication reduced. I noticed my anxiety isn't as high. I don't get the heart palpitations or tingling in the limbs. But because I had a real bad panic attack during that time, I still remember it. I'm still afraid of having one of those again.

I don't want to be sick. I hate being sick. Because it brings up that fear of having that one big bad panic attack.

But I need to remind myself that I got through it and I'm okay. I had a work up done on me and I was actually a lot better than I thought I was. I have blood work of somebody half my age. Self compassion and kindness goes a long way. Taking care of yourself the best way you can. You should be good.

Try to engage with something to take your mind off of those intrusive thoughts about your health. Sometimes make fun of it and counter those anxious thoughts with logic. It helps.

[Daisy425]

thank you so much! I really connected with what you said. When I was first struggling with anxiety I would throw up every morning. Definitely contributed to my fear of throwing up