High anxiety is an accomplished confidence trickster. Our jangled nerves always exaggerate minor health worries into major health issues.
It's always the worst case scenario. That muscular tension in the chest must be a heart attack. That stomach pain must be cancer. Those occasional missed heartbeats must mean my heart's on the way out. Of course it's nothing of the sort, these are false symptoms due to health anxiety: for complete reassurance do see your doctor.
If he or she says all is fine don't react with 'What if he/she got it wrong?' Ask for a second opinion if you really must but then accept the diagnosis of people who went to medical school longer than you did. Because you can't cure yourself of an illness you don't have no matter how hard you try.
Instead, concentrate on the illness you do have. Anxiety Disorder caused by over sensitisation of your nervous system.
Written by
Jeff1943
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At the moment I'm once again experiencing my symptoms of anxiety, the one I find that is the most difficult to overcome is "anxiety dizziness". I feel fine one minute then suddenly become overwhelmed with a feeling of being off balance. I know what it is as I have had these feelings for nearly 30 years. Did think I had finished with this after CBT therapy 10 years ago, but no! here we go again. Your posts Jeff1943, are a tonic for me and you very often post with the very thing I'm struggling with, (Health Anxiety). So I thank you for your help over the years, I get comfort from your sound advice. x
Dizziness, a feeling of losing your balance though you never do, is a well known symptom of high anxiety. It's still important to get it assessed by a doctor of course but I'm sure you did that long ago. The more we concentrate on these symptoms the more they persist. The more we accept them for the moment without worry or fear the sooner they fade. Wishing you well.
Hello Jeff1943, Yes I had various tests in the past, but when the symptoms come all my tools of dealing with anxiety seem to get lost for a while, then the thoughts begin to escalate and I do get fearful, which also never helps. I just need the occasional post from you to reassure me. It seems to work. Thank you!
I follow the anxiety guy Dennis Simsek on YouTube. He's my favorite teacher for ALL types of anxiety. His Inner Child work is what hooked me on his teachings, but his health anxiety help is OUTSTANDING too! I've been told that he used to be a member of this forum, too. He is a GREAT TEACHER 👏👏👏👏
It is good to know that there are people like Dennis Semsek whose teachings can bring respite and recovery. As some may know I am a fundamentalist 'disciple' of Claire Weekes' method which can be summarised as: Face. Accept. Float. Let time pass.Her recent biography is titled 'Claire Weekes: the woman who cracked the anxiety code'. And so she did.
Her first book 'Self help for your nerves' (also titled 'Hope and Help for your nerves' in the U.S.) spells her method out clearly. You can pick one up new or pre-owned on Amazon or E-bay for just a few pounds or dollars.
It was written in the 1960s when social conventions were different and this is reflected in the 'examples' she describes. But so what, anxiety disorder was the same 60 years ago as today and so is our nervous system.
Thank you for posting. This may be the first time Jeff1943 that I've run across a post from you. Love it! I spent my entire life with health anxiety. I would avoid any medical facility, heck even a drug store during flu shot time....even if I had symptoms of physical issues. I like that you do say folks should get checked out. From personal experience, my years of avoiding all things health related, I am now terminal. I no longer have health anxiety.....because now every appt is to save my life. I did take care of my mental health for 25 years, but refused to focus on the physical. Now my mental health has tanked again. Just a note to remind folks to care for their entire being and to be kind to your body. I ran hard at my job and am still raising little rug rats. I often cannot get to a Drs appt if I am left to my own choices. Thankfully my husband comes when he is able. We need to take our full health into account every day. I have been trained to reset my Vagus nerve by a health professional when in panic. It works wonders and are very simple moves to relieve yourself of the stress and anxiety. It isn't a cure but man, it has really saved me on several occasions. Back to Jeff.....def see a Dr. if symptoms cannot be managed. But he is 100% right, we have to accept the mental struggles we have here. We also need to know and accept that it is ok to struggle. Perfection doesn't exist. I have been in therapy for 25 years even before I developed anxiety and then eventual depression. It's in my family and I've lost too many people I love. Nice to meet the GURU! LOVE IT!
The key to Weekes' teachings is to accept the bad feelings for the time being and not fight them. Fighting causes more stress and strain, the last thing we need. Even panic attacks are toothless tigers, they cannot kill or cripple you. Neither can they send you crazy. So do not add second fear to the flash of first fear, engage in 'masterly inactivity', do nothing but accept, accept, accept. You will lose the fear of fear and eventually like all bullies the symptoms of anxiety will leave you alone.
Hi Jeff a different topic. I need yr wise advice if you can help me. I am supposed to hv abdo scan to see if I am ok post endo c. I had to hv a hyster in Dec many complications post was in hosp 7 weeks instead of 5 days due to reptured hernia post hyst. I have cancelled scan twice so far. Beyond afraid and hv thought if Im not ok I dont think Ill cope and if I am ok then why do I need to have it. No one in my family knows anything other than I had a hyster so I have no one to advise. I havent told my friends either. If Im not ok I dont want to be treated differently. I hv rescheduled scan and surgeon appt but cant see myself going. Really really stressed anddont know what to do. Can you advise? Jen
Sorry to hear of your recent health issues and hope they are all soon resolved.You are lucky enough to be living in the 21st. century where the benefits of modern medical science are available to you. Please take full advantage of that and have that scan. If all is o.k. think of the feeling of relief that result will bring.
If there is something that needs further attention then the medics will be able to resolve it at an earlier stage with the promise of greater success than if you left it to later.
May I suggest your present thinking is not in your best interests.
Ignorance is not bliss. If you continue to delay the scan then the result remains unknown and every day will be blighted by uncertainty. Only by having the scan S.A.P. will you gain the relief from worry you now deserve. Or the reassurance that any problems are receiving the earliest and very best attention for a successful outcome.
I would also suggest that you do not keep this all to yourself.
Among your family and friends I'm sure there are several, even one will do, whose opinion you can trust and whom you can share your worries. A problem shared is always a problem halved. So confide in the wisest person you know so you do not have to bear the burden of making this decision alone.
You have been through a lot recently and mistakenly believe you have used up your quota of courage and fortitude. Believe me when I say you have not for you still have within you reserves of courage and good sense that will carry you through.
Fabulous1, despite your previous delays I think you have known the right course of action all along. Having that scan is without shadow of doubt in your best interests so have it done soon and enjoy the peace of mind it will bring.
Wishing you all the very best and a long, healthy and happy life.
Thank you so very much for replying Jeff. I really appreciate your time. What would I do if Im not ok? .... how would I function? how would I work as a nurse having to pretend Im ok. How would I cope. I couldnt tell family, friends, work colleagues because then I would be treated differently and in some cases avoided. Thank you for being here for everyone you are so special Jen
Very upset and shocked/disheartened by your response. I am a shift work nurse and am not always able to check my phone. As soon as I could of course I replied. Very horrible sarcastic response to send to someone who is already beyond traumatised
It is 30mins to midnight in Perth WA and I have just got home from work. Its ok but I would never take anyones time or advice for granted. I actually really dont have anyone to discuss this with but you. I cannot discuss these matters with my family or friends unfortunately
8Jen, once again apologies for the upset caused by my misunderstanding.
I have read through our correspondence here and the first thing to deal with is whether to have the scan. There are only 2 options: have the scan or don't have it.
If you don't have it then each day you will face the anxiety of 'not knowing'. Do you really want to live like that? In the unlikely event there are further issues then eventually you will ask the doctors for help but the problem would be much more difficult to put right because of the delay. You ask what would happen if the scan did signify a problem? I will give you the answer my wife always gives me (and herself) which is "You will deal with it".
You seem more concerned about what others in the family or at work will think of you? You should only be concerned with what YOU think and dealing with things the way that is overwhelmingly in YOUR interest. Do you think you would be the first person at your hospital to find themselves in this situation?
So once again I strongly urge you to have the scan, I believe the odds are stacked firmly in your favour.
But if after all due consideration you decide not to have the scan then you must ACCEPT the consequences which are the daily anxiety of not knowing and the albeit small risk that something important is being neglected.
I don't like the idea of bottling your worries up and not sharing them with anyone in your life. You are being VERY hard on yourself. Family are there to support us when we need help and reassurance. Their response may very well favourably surprise you. Do you not trust your doctor's 'bedside manner' and feel able to tell him everything about what you are going through?
Also, as you work at a hospital surely there is someone there whose job it is to help and advise with these matters. I repeat: a problem shared is a problem halved.
I know you are no coward but there is a time-tested saying which I suggest you consider carefully: The brave man dies once, the coward a thousand times. Of course, this also applies to women. I hope you do the sensible thing but if you don't then just accept your decision, you must make your mind up and avoid the further stress that indecision brings.
Please keep me informed, I wish you good health in the future and the relief that sharing your worry with people who care will bring.
Hi Jeff thank you very much for your reply it means a lot. As you asked my spec dr does not have a warm bedside manner so that is a big reason I guess I havent had scan. I am meant to hv the scan this week and see him Monday 24 july but I havent had scan yet. I am so terrified and want to cancel him. Full of stress and anxiety. I had so much fear and medical problems frm oct last year until June this year I feel like I cant bare anymore. I somehow need to make booking and get myself to have scan. Thanks a tonne for yr advice and being there Jeff. I am very lucky to have yr advice and I really appreciate it 💌
As Doctor Claire Weekes* would have said: go anyway and Accept your bad feelings and imagine Floating along to your destination.* 'Self help with your nerves' by Claire Weekes, first published 1964 and still selling like the proverbial hot cakes helping untold thousands to recover from anxiety disorder in all its forms.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
xx
Going to other fields of doctors when you have a psychiatric illness 
Don't you just love having to wait? lol
Health Anxiety Sufferer
Struggling with Health Anxiety
Health anxiety you monster
