Fear of getting ill (nosophobia)

[Tobytime45]

Hello, does anyone else have the fear of getting ill? It's really crippling me at the moment. The other day I had a huge "floater" in my eye. I have been to the eye doctor and a retina specialist and everything is ok. But I'm still having extremely bad anxiety attacks. I'm finding it difficult to eat, sleeping is up and down. I've tried to reach out to my psychiatrist but I can't get an appointment earlier than February. I'm seeing a therapist at end of January. I need help now and don't know what to do. Please help.

[jessiem]

Yes - I do.

I use a book called Overcoming Health Anxiety by Rob Willson and David Veale. It’s very helpful.

[Relaxdude]

eye floaters are really common. They disappear after a time. I would not have described it as an illness. My optician said it’s simply part of the lining in the eye detaching, as part of a natural cycle, the floater then dissolves in the liquid in the eye. Had them since a child, no ill effects. Try and think of when your anxiety has been at it’s worse and decide now how you will plan to react. Use a notebook if you need to. Rational thinking when anxious is hard, when calm it’s a lot easier. Stay safe and calm. 👍🤗