Medical Anxiety

I have always been a little obsessed with my health but mainly kept it under control. Recently I started following a primal diet which was ok but then I started to think if I ate any bread I would get cancer. Obviously not ok. Managed to eat bread now without thinking it will kill me.

Started seeing a therapist for the depression and was suggested I try Escitalopram. I was sceptical but tried it and it didn't agree with me unless 6 hour panic attacks about getting cancer are normal. So stopped that.

I thought I would go for a private STD check up as it covered more stuff than the NHS one (I am in the UK) I had two weeks ago. I didn't watch the nurse break the seal as such but did see her take the tip out of its holder and plug it in to the plastic bit (and to be fair I always look away every other time anyone takes blood anyway and I have had a lot taken before). I asked her if it was a new needle and she said yes. On the way home I started freaking out it was contaminated with HIV. So obviously I will be back to the NHS one for retesting in 4 weeks but I worry I will be in a cycle! Calmed down a bit now.

I realise all these things are quite ridiculous, and don't need to discuss them further, but I cant stop them from entering my head. It is like I have to have something to worry about. Is this hypochondria? Does anyone have any tips on how to stop this? Should I try another drug or not?

[Sagitarius88]

I'm from UK too n trust me that needle was new , I'm suffering with anxiety n yes just like u think abt cancer I always think about got a heart disease
It's so annoying

[I_need_help23]

Hi... I am from us but I can relate to your health worries, if I get a pain in my leg I think it's a blood clot traveling to y brain, headaches are brain tumors, everything is something worse then what it really is, but yet I continue to worry, I think that if do something wrong then something bad is going to happen to me, but we have got to find a way to stop these thoughts and live a happy life for our selves and our families.

[jojokdz]

how do you start? or do it?  I am 59..  I have suffered with anxiety and stress my whole life.. I always think I got something.  I sit here looking up stuff like a fool.  I am seeing a psychologist but was told to see a psychiatrist instead.. they know more and can fix my meds so maybe they will work and for one freaking day, I will have some peace in my head.  I never believed it before, but anxiety and stress can be a big play on your body phsically!!!