Unable to talk to people about health anxiety

Does anyone find it is difficult to talk to friends, family or your doctor about this condition. People seem to think you have control over the situation and that you are an attention seeker. Thanks for listening

[sessykel]

I don't have trouble telling doctor but I don't tell anyone else I'm so embarrassed I hate it just wish it would leave x

[sessykel]

I don't have trouble telling doctor but I don't tell anyone else I'm so embarrassed I hate it just wish it would leave x

[Hidden in reply to sessykel]

when i went to my doctor i wrote it down on paper and just handed it to her because my mind goes blank

[Bramwell]

My doctor was sympathetic but couldn't offer any help due to cutbacks. Other people I've told just think I'm a bit daft keep worrying over suppose ailments or symptoms they'd ignore.

[Hidden]

I'm waiting for intense cbt for health anxiety it's horrible I always think the worst and it is so frustrating I've been trying a few things il explain it helped me straight away although it ain't gone but I found relief.

Grab some paper and a pen make 3 Columns header reach column. Column 1, triggers, in this column you can write down as many triggers as you can think of this could be palpitations, fast heart rate, feeling sick, looking pale, pain, what ever you think the trigger could be.

Column 2.thoughts, this is your thoughts about what might happen or is happening, like I'm going to dye, I've a serious illness, ect.

Column 3. Feelings, this is how you feel at the time scared, anxious, fed up, emotional, tired, weak.

Then you need another piece of paper 2 columns first bigger that the second.

First column header it symptoms, write in all your symptoms this could be palpitations, pain, burning up ect.

Second column header it 0-100% probability of serious illness. Then you write in here what percentage you think it is you have what you think.

Now you need another piece of paper and use this paper to think of ALL other things it could be other than a serious illness like, a bug, ate something that's not agreed, need the toilet, anxiety, mestrual cycle, wind, constipation ect write as many as you can think. Now on another piece of paper with the other things it could be that you have just written lastly, do a pie chart and wrote the percentage with which ones you think is most Likely or bothersome like this constipation could be 50% half the pie chart for this and write on it then anxiety it could be 20% draw another bit for this then share the pie chart for the rest. Now go back to the piece of paper that has symptoms 2 Columns at the bottom rethink the above symptoms you wrote earlier then what ever the percentage you think it is after you have done the pie chart, hopefully it's lowered ??

I hope this helps.

Jo xxx

[Hidden]

Sorry about wrong spelling its my predictive text

[Katherine1970]

I am totally the same. i have no one i can turn too. I am so alone. I suffer with OCD and anxiety and all of last week and beginning of this week has been hell. my anxiety has been getting stronger every day and my OCD has taken over every move and thought i take and have. I feel like i dont have control at the moment. its very hard and you are not alone in how you are feeling.

i dont know if this would help you but I am looking at information from someone called Carl Sheppard. he suffered with anxiety for 15 years and from what i have been told, has helped alot of people through anxiety / OCD / Depression with his anxiety book and anxiety workshops. you might find some helpful information on his website...? could be worth a look. i am looking at as much information as possible as i need to change my life. i am so sick of living like this. take care.xxx

[Hidden]

Thanks a lot I am really taking on board all your advice. It helps to know you are not on your own