Stop worrying about illnesses you don't ha... - Anxiety Support

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Stop worrying about illnesses you don't have and concentrate on the illness you do.

Jeff1943 profile image
7 Replies

So many people who present on this forum fear they have life threatening illnesses about to strike like heart attack, cancer, stroke and impending death. But they know that all these feelings are symptoms of anxiety - and they have come to a forum that's all about Anxiety not Heart Disease or Cancer. So deep down they know it's anxiety not organic.

Everyone should go see their doctor if they get symptoms and if they're told it's anxiety and still don't believe the diagnosis they should see the doctor again, get a second opinion or ask for some tests. But when they come back with the same diagnosis of Anxiety it should be accepted without further question. There are people who have had every test in the book from bloods to MRI scans and still think the doctors/specialists have got it wrong. They are directing their ebetgies in the wrong direction: they are worrying about illnesses they don't have rather than directing their attention to recovering from the illness they do have.

To recover from anxiety we need to learn how anxiety works, what it can do to us and wahat it can't do, why it arose in the first place - and how with knowledge and practice and persistance we can erase it from our nervous systems and end the torment. Because make no mistake, no matter how long you have suffered and how hopeless you believe your case to be you CAN recover if only you are willing to learn how.

In other posts I have made I have outlined the method of self-help that I know best and I will not repeat it in this post. There are of course other methods of self help that have seen people recover. So what I say is, tranquillisers and anti-depressants can be helpful but it's so much better to rid yoursekf of the illness rather than just mask the symptoms. Instead of just concentrating on how bad we feel today and endless introspection it's much more helpful to read a good self-help book or website to gain the knowledge that sets us free - and to practice it with persistence. Our recovery lies in our hands and the sooner we begin to help ourselves the sooner we can get on with our lives.

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Jeff1943 profile image
Jeff1943
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7 Replies

I agree. The medication are good to a point, but not for long term use. All you're doing is masking the problem. It's good to get an understanding of what's happening inside chemically by using the tablets. It's much better however, to rid yourself of it permanently. I hope to achieve this. Ordered the book Jeff, good shout.

Vbee profile image
Vbee

Practice with persistence. Good mantra!

Jenny1435 profile image
Jenny1435

Ummmm just so you know… Sometimes that's easier said than done. And sometimes doctors to get things wrong but I do see where you're coming from. I think all of us are trying to fight the battle but for some it's a little harder than others. Just keep that in mind. Toughlove is good sometimes but sometimes some people just need a little bit of understanding and not feel so alone. That also leads to finding strength within yourself with the help of other people who know how you feel. So if we need to rant about our health issues then I feel that that is perfectly OK to an extent. Because the more I talk to people the better it makes me feel which helps me heal. I've not been told that my cardiologist that it is anxiety. I've been told that I have some electrical issues. Yes this does cause anxiety. But the fact of the matter is what is going on inside me is real. I just have to learn how to deal with it which is what I'm trying to do.

Jeff1943 profile image
Jeff1943 in reply to Jenny1435

Jenny1435, it is ALWAYS easier said than done. Acceptance is hard and takes time and people want instant fixes. Acceptance requires courage at a time we're not feeling particularly brave. My point is that sitting around on the internet swapping symptoms doesn't get us very far. We need an exchange of solutions and how to improve and recover. Doctors very rarely get things wrong these days with all the sophisticated tests and scans available to them. Maybe your electrical issues is an exception and your cardiac issues are in fact anxiety based and will resolve. Either way I wish you a full recovery.

Jenny1435 profile image
Jenny1435 in reply to Jeff1943

Thank you I hope so too.

Well I went​ to a doctor for 3 years with symptoms that they put down to depression and anxiety, only when my doctor was on holiday and a seen a locum did I actually find out that I was seriously ill and my depression and anxiety were actually symptoms of my illness.

I now suffer from anxiety because I fear the illness will come back and I will mistake it instead for depression and anxiety.

Jeff1943 profile image
Jeff1943 in reply to

Sorry to hear that, daveywavy1. What happened to you is a reminder that we have every reason to ask for a second opinion if we think fit.

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