Living with health anxiety

[DCIHarry]

Hi everyone, I am new to this community and am looking for practical tips and techniques to help me manage, and ultimately overcome, my recently diagnosed health anxiety, post a heart attack and stent procedure back in February 2020.

[lettingoffsteam]

Hi DCIHarry and welcome to our community.I had terrible health anxiety after I was diagnosed and hospitalized for dangerously high bp last March.Even when it was controlled by meds I worried for the future.My GP arranged CBT for me.Actually I had six sessions face to face with a therapist but I also applied for online therapy which happened first due to waiting lists.I used IESO for the online stuff and they emailed the other day asking if I needed more therapy, so I guess they must have spaces.I also took up meditation which again you can access online.Both of these things really helped.

[DCIHarry in reply to lettingoffsteam]

Hi, lettingoffsteam, thanks for the fast response. I am aware of CBT but have no experience of it. I've been put on a 6 month waiting list for this by the NHS, but I really could do with the help now. Nobody has mentioned IESO until now, so it may be worth a look. I'm fortunate to have BUPA (through work), so maybe I could see if it is available through them, albeit I guess online via video conference calls (or something like that). Thanks once again.

[lettingoffsteam in reply to DCIHarry]

IESO is free with self-referral but, with private health care you might find a therapist to do Zoom therapy sessions.

[DCIHarry in reply to lettingoffsteam]

Thanks. Right now I'm prepared to try anything.

Because I think I know me quite well, the mental aspect of my recovery was always going to be the bigger challenge for me.

I do the BHF cardio rehab programme at home every other day for an hour and Clinical Pilates every other day (on the alternate days), so I have no problem exercising and exerting myself while I'm at home, but as soon a s I step outside, the anxiety kicks in.

Being forced to work at home (due to the COVID restrictions) is kind of masking the situation at the moment, as there is no need to go out too often, but when normality returns, this could be a major problem, unless I address it.

[lettingoffsteam in reply to DCIHarry]

It sounds like you've made a great start already with the physical fitness and I'm sure you'll be able to access therapy quite easily.Keep us posted.

[gilreid1]

Harry

Welcome and I am sure many of us have down days I know I do. My recent post was my way of cheering myself up and taking my mind of my heart problems. Sometimes the simple things are all you need to perk yourself up. And the kind words of many on this forum.

[DCIHarry in reply to gilreid1]

It's really quite useful and helpful to know that I am not alone - and health anxiety is more common than I could ever imagined.

[EmmyLaury12 in reply to DCIHarry]

Hi

I too had a HA in April this year had one stent .

I am still not there yet with the anxiety but it’s getting better .

I’ve accessed CBT and it’s really helping.

Your not on your own with anxiety and this group helps as sometimes you think you are on your own going through hardships .

I wish you well I’m sure you’ll be fine just takes time sometimes . My family helped me too .

Take care ,

Sheila x

[DCIHarry in reply to EmmyLaury12]

Thanks for the supportive words. I'm pretty sure time is, as they say, "a great healer". I am hopeful (but not yet confident) that with assistance I will learn to manage my anxiety better and overcome it.

[Andyman]

Councelling and Mindfulness helped me enormously. I managed to talk my worries and anxieties out and Mindfulness has given me the tools to keep it at bay on a daily basis.

[DCIHarry in reply to Andyman]

Thanks for that. 🤞that will work for me.