Health Anxiety becoming overwhelming...

[ms639]

I am a 33 year old Male with a good job, solid family life and am healthy (no pre-exsiting medical conditions, eat well and exercise regulalry)

Just recently however my life has been flipped upside down by health anxiety. I have recently returned from South Africa from a holiday and had an upset stomach (this was 4 weeks ago), I have subsequently come down with severe health anxiety, convincing myself that I have some kind of cancer (stomach, bowel, pancreas etc etc).

I have had 3 GP appointments in 4 weeks but I cannot break the cycle that it is something really serious, I am stuck in this vicious cycle and it is consuming my whole life, it's the first thing I think about when I wake up and my brain is living in my stomach right now.

Any tiny twinge I get absolutely fixated on, it's stopping me from eating as normal or partaking in day to day activity, I just want to sleep to try and be unaware of what's going on.

This is entirely new to me having had little to no anxiety in the past. If anybody has any advice it would be hugely appreciated

[ms639]

Hi Zaid, thanks for asking, it's been ok thanks. I am spending time with my family which is great but the anxiety has been up and down. I have just spent some time meditating and journaling which has made me feel better, how about you?

[ms639]

It's something I've only just started actually, I have been looking at things I can do to help with my health anxiety and a friend recommended journaling. If I do it at the start of the day it's a great way for me to start the day positively as opposed to anxiously as I have been, I'm enjoying it so far

[ms639]

I live in the UK actually, and you?

[designguy]

As someone who had some health anxiety and some OCD my suggestion is that you check out the websites and youtubes of Matthew Codde at Restored Minds and also Paige Pradko. Both are therapists who had health anxiety and OCD, healed themselves and now help others heal. They both have good, practical advice and even affordable programs if you are interested.