Health Anxiety becoming overwhelming...

[ms639]

I am a 33 year old Male with a good job, solid family life and am healthy (no pre-exsiting medical conditions, eat well and exercise regulalry)

Just recently however my life has been flipped upside down by health anxiety. I have recently returned from South Africa from a holiday and had an upset stomach (this was 4 weeks ago), I have subsequently come down with severe health anxiety, convincing myself that I have some kind of cancer (stomach, bowel, pancreas etc etc).

I have had 3 GP appointments in 4 weeks but I cannot break the cycle that it is something really serious, I am stuck in this vicious cycle and it is consuming my whole life, it's the first thing I think about when I wake up and my brain is living in my stomach right now.

Any tiny twinge I get absolutely fixated on, it's stopping me from eating as normal or partaking in day to day activity, I just want to sleep to try and be unaware of what's going on.

This is entirely new to me having had little to no anxiety in the past. If anybody has any advice it would be hugely appreciated

[Danjamesp]

Hey mate. I have suffered badly with a very similar situation, related to a health issue. It really started to consume me and impact my life. I had many tests done and was diagnosed with a benign condition, thankfully. Had to go private in the end to get tests conducted more speedily. However one thing that really has helped my anxiety was this book - at last a life by Paul David. Maybe worth a shot as has helped myself. And do follow up with medical professionals too to ensure all is ok, which I hope it is.

[userotc]

I think it may depend on whether youre prepared to spend a bit of money to alleviate your concerns. Seeing GPs is sadly unlikely to help. But seeing a qualified Nutritional Therapist may and he/she could also assist with relevant tests to help alleviate further.

[Norwich1 Moderator in reply to userotc]

This may very well be an anxiety and a mental health therapist may be of some help - perhaps working in tandem with a gastroenterologist

[userotc in reply to Norwich1]

Maybe but unsure how successful such therapists are. Sadly most don't appreciate the power of Nutritional Therapy and that certainly applies to younger ones.A few key tests showing negative and a therapy to prevent disease might help.

We shouldn't and can't diagnose but me and my family have benefitted from NT.

[Norwich1 Moderator in reply to userotc]

I guess that would be your choice then but that is not always the case

[theporridgeman]

Hi I think and this is not any diagnosis your looking into it too much we know with Anxiety its mostly in your head .If your not experiencing any ill effects from your Africa trip and your eating normally .Maybe you just need to be more for living for the moment then looking too further into the future or the past .Its like the cold your never going to recover from and then its forgotten about .Enjoy your life .

[lj98]

Hi there, sorry to hear you're struggling at the moment. My partner had a similar thing relating to health anxiety and he found by having full blood tests to check all areas of concern massively helped to put his mind at ease. If the NHS waiting times are too long, perhaps trying a service such as Blue Horizon Medicals could be a good avenue to explore. I highly recommend them as their broad range of test offerings are reasonably priced, the results are thorough and the team there are very kind and happy to help. Hope this helps.

[ms639]

thank you so much, I’ve actually pushed forward with my private health insurer and am getting some tests done. I desperately need the peace of mind, I can’t go on like this. Every day waiting to go to bed and dreading the morning alarm, no way to live 😢

[HelpMe86]

I suffer from Hyperchondria and Health Anxiety ….I notice for me meditation works but it’s hard for me to keep my mind off the fact that I think something is seriously wrong at times.Im actually going through something right now if you would like to chat feel free to messege me back

[JumpJiving]

@ms369 - the NHS offer free talking therapy, doesn’t even need a GP referral. I did it last year, 10-12 sessions via video chat with an absolutely excellent therapist. No waiting list in my area either. Google NHS talking therapy to find the link to apply. Hope it helps