Paranoid about cancer (need help)

[PlingNightmare]

I'm 17 and I've been really paranoid about cancer ever since I can remember. I'm very afraid of getting it, and sometimes I feel desperate about it. I usually feel just fine, but there are sometimes (like twice a year or so) when I get REALLY paranoid and I convince myself that I suffer from cancer. This usually lasts a few weeks, sometimes even a month or so. I'm very afraid to go to the doctor because I fear what I might say. Most of the times my parents get SO SICK of me being all depressed and worried that they force me into going to the doctor. I never got any exam done, but doctors always say that it's nothing and I'm just a paranoid child. Every time there's a new symptom, or a new type of cancer that concerns me. Once I thought I had skin cancer due to a little pimple in my harm. I also felt my skin burning when I touched it, and I felt tired...eventually those symptoms (and the pimple...) passed and I forgot about it. But every time something strange happens to me, or I feel a bit down or see something on the news about cancer, or hear about someone suffering from it, I get one of those episodes. Sometimes I convince myself I have brain cancer (that's the one that scares me the most) and eye cancer. Anyway, in my mind, I have had almost every type of cancer. And the worst part is that I actually feel the symptoms. It's not just paranoia and unreasoned fear of it. Like, I sometimes get these weird headaches in different parts of my head, I also feel a weird sensation in my vision and I get very obsessed about it. Spend my days just thinking about it, without a rest. I get REALLY sick of these thoughts, and I just cry, exhausted. Deep inside I know I'm just making up symptoms but I also fear that it ain't just my imagination...something might really be there. My father also suffers from this carcerophobia and he gets very depressed easily. Since he was a kid he was also convinced that he had a brain tumor until a few years, when he finally did several exams. And nothing was wrong. He got better since then, but sometimes he still gets paranoid and depressed. I think I got that from him. He also felt weird symptoms like his head was pumping out, awkward visions, dizziness, etc. Anyway, I'm really getting full of these thoughts and I'm going crazy. Now I'm terrified that I might have brain cancer. Because the boyfriend of a friend of mine discovered he has a stomach cancer and that made me remember my paranoia. I always know when I'm gonna get this way. But I can't avoid it anyway. I'm scared. I sometimes feel dizzy, I have headaches, difficulties concentrating, weird vision and I feel terribly tired. But the stupid thing is, when I forget it, or when I concentrate on something else, this symptoms go away. Even so, I still think I might have something and I keep having nightmares about it. I can't control myself and I feel miserable. I'm not afraid of dying. I just DON'T want it to be from cancer. I'm really terrified with that idea :( I've been to a shrink several times and I've also been on antidepressants, psychologists, tried everything and still can't fix it. I need help. Is there anyone who has this same problem as I do? Is there a chance I really have cancer? I'm so afraid :(

[jman81]

okay. well i think ur either a hypochondriac or u suffer from ocd. you should talk to a doctor about the two and see what he or she has to say.  ocd causes bad paranoia and hypochondria makes u feel like ur physically sick when ur really not. talk to a doctor about it. and see if u cant get on meds or something. best of wishes.

[jul04]

I know how you feel because when I was younger I use to think that I had aids or hiv.  That is because at that time it was all over the news and I hadn't done anything to put me at risk of getting it but I had myself convinced that I had it and would get "symptoms".  Well after many, many years of struggling I finally went and got tested and it came negative so I had caused myself endless worry over nothing.  I think that this is probably what is going on with you.  I would suggest going to your doctor and getting a physical and full blood work up.  Tell your doctor your fears and symptoms and go from there.  I think the odds are that you most likely do not have cancer but I am not a doctor so I think you should talk to one.  If by some chance you do have any type of cancer it is best to catch it in the early stages and begin treatment.  On the other hand if everything comes back fine then you can put your mind at ease and enjoy your life.  I hope this helps you....