Health anxiety

[Mladost1992]

I visited many abandoned buildings and am afraid I was exposed to blue asbestos, I saw broken roofing material and walked in dust.

I am aware that to white asbestos, years of exposure is needed before developing disease. However, I cannot let go of the thought that I might have inhaled blue or brown asbestos. I read often that it can cause disease after even a minimum exposure.. I hope someone can calm my mind.

I visited at least fifteen of such abandoned buildings all over Eastern Europe, such as in Bulgaria, Armenia and Azerbaijan. I have seen broken roofing material lying around and walked past broken pipes that might have been insulated with blue asbestos. I am literally worried sick and feel as if my life is over. I cannot imagine how stupid I have been. I hope anyone could help..

Not only that, my health anxiety knows no boundaries. Recently I read an article saying that very hot drinks may cause cancer of the oesophagus. I always used to microwave my coffee and sip it really hot. It burned my tongue and lips a bit but I enjoyed the tingling sensation. Now I also worry about getting this disease:(

[AnxiousNoMore]

Your examples bring up the point that there different things that can lead to death. There are many more, so if it is any comfort to you, you have likely been subjected to some others that you don't even know about but the fact you are still alive is the only thing that matters. Worrying will not do you any good, so if there is any way you can focus on the positive fact that you are healthy then that is the solution.  
I imagine the odds of dying from either of the 2 things that are worrying you now is very tiny. Probably many people have walked past the buildings you mentioned and they all aren't dying or going to die. Keep that in mind, and if you don't know anyone that died from those 2 ways then it is probably rare.

If you try for a few weeks or longer to get it out of your mind but find it is still frightening you, then  I suggest therapy as those people are professionals at resolving this kind of worry.

[Mladost1992]

Thank you so much for the kind reply. I really appreciate it and it helped put things in perspective. I made it a point to stop engaging in the thoughts, I allow them to be but do not go about them like "What if that would be true". Also, I stopped looking online as it brings up the worst of my worries. Thanks again and positivity will always win

[AnxiousNoMore]

If you are troubled again you can always write back, preferably on this thread so we can reflect on how you felt.

[Mladost1992]

Thank you! It still scares me that I might have been exposed to the blue kind as I was inside, and there is no way to know for sure except for to wait. Besides, there is no way to undo the risk as the stuff stays in the lungs forever. I guess I just have to let it go but for me it's the worst anxiety I had, as I will have no insurance in the following decades.

[Mladost1992]

*assurance