Health anxiety

[Emma143]

I have suffered with anxiety for years, and every time I have something wrong, I worry about it. At the moment I feel very shaky, dizzy and tired. I have high blood pressure. I have increased my tablet from 3.75mg to 5 mg which I’ve been taking for 2 weeks.

My blood pressure is still a bit high. I am worrying about it every day. Wondering if my blood pressure is making me feel like this or if it’s anxiety. I have my own blood pressure monitor, that I brought myself, and am now constantly taking it. Yesterday it was 59 over 99, but then when I took it again it was 37 over 84. I am 49 years old and read it should be 20 over something, so I panick because it’s never that low. I feel So I’ll. I’m like jelly. So unsteady on my feet. I have to go to work, but it’s such a struggle. I haven’t told anybody at work as I don’t like telling them. There is still a stigma attached to mental health with some people.

Please help. I’m desperate.

Thank you for reading

[Windsorgardener5087]

Hi Emma, Thank you for your post. When our brain is in the anxious state everything seems worse than it is in reality. We have to remember that our physical state cannot stay this way for more than 15-20 minutes for most people.

My trick is to acknowledge the anxious thought by saying to myself, " so anxiety is back. I will wait quietly for 5 minutes for you to go away. If you don't go away, I will wait for 5 minutes more until you are gone" I don't give anxiety a name but that is an option.

I recommend a book called Working in the Dark by Dawn Fitter. The book has useful ideas for approaching managers at work.

Please refer to Beyond Blue, a mental health organisation based in Australia which has a staying at work plan template which you can print off. This website has a section devoted to mental health at work. I am in one of the videos.

I have used these together to get the conversation started at work. Getting started talking is definitely tricky but helped by an opening statement you are comfortable with.

All the best from me 🦘

[MyLynda]

I also have health anxiety. It has been quiet for me lately. When I am having panic I like to read a quote over and over “ worrying is using your imagination to create something you don’t want” I have good month then really bad days. I hope you feel better soon. Throw away the blood pressure cuff and don’t google your symptoms.

[ma65]

Hi Emma i agree with MyLynda. If you keep looking for something you will find it.

[panamaborn]

You are not alone Emma143 it's hard for me to talk with someone that is not going through what we are I found this by luck I am starting to feel comfortable with sharing with the group there are nice people here