GAD

[aikidokan]

I have generalized anxiety disorder, and I'm wondering if people have experienced what I have.

It's interesting to see the evolution of the disorder. First I was convinced I had heart problems, and that it was causing my symptoms, which are typically chest pressure/tightness, shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, and weakness.

I had countless EKG's, ECG's, a holter-monitor test, and blood work. All came back fine.

Now I am worried about new things. When I had a series of upper respiratory infections and colds this winter, I thought something was wrong with my lungs or immune system. Now I am focusing on something wrong with my brain because lately the symptoms have been primarily dizziness and headaches.

Anyone else go through this with the same symptoms?

[RubyWitch]

Oh Sweetie, every single one of us with anxiety or panic has experienced what you are going through. It's called "Health Anxiety" and is very common. Anxiety can actually create all manner of very real symptoms and once we cross over into the realm of "hypervigilism," our canoes have sprung a leak.
Every tweak or twinge, every ache and pain becomes a tumor, cancer, a stroke, MS, a heart attack...................in other words, every disease in the book.
You have been totally checked out and all your tests are negative. You are, PHYSICALLY, a healthy young man. Psychologically, you are a healthy young man with health anxiety.
Your next stop needs to be with a good therapist so you can get off this merry-go-round before it takes over your life, which, if left untreated, it will. How do I know? Because I rode that damn ride for half my adult life worried every minute of every day that I had a deadly disease. What a waste. Those are YEARS I will NEVER get back. I missed out on so much. Don't do that to yourself. You have this anxiety for a reason and a good therapist will help you figure out why and then help you get rid of it.
And for the love of Mike, do NOT Google your symptoms! Those places can turn a stubbed toe into cancer in the blink of an eye!
(I know because I had toe cancer for 3 weeks once!)
Find a therapist.
Live!
Peace
Greenlydia