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Tools to overcome health anxiety?
Just wondering if anybody has any they could share as a lot of us have health anxiety.. I try to remember I have health anxiety and always jump to the worse conclusion and I'm always wrong... Does anybody have any coping skills they use for their health anxiety or anxiety in general? HATE HEALTH ANXIETY
I seem to be going to the doctor more then anybody I know now days. My doctor will say you're fine. I'll feel great then a weeks later it'll be something new. I try to use tips. And I am on medication. I USED to be really bad. Jobless/wasn't going to school. Now im doing both and will have my bachelors degree in a year. I find staying busy helps me. My great uncle knows I have anxiety and one day just said. "Hey, none of us are getting out of here alive." Great point I thought. Our time could come any day/time unexpected I really took that to heart when a family friend when his shot to death just doing his job here in Oregon. that's why I'm trying to enjoy this life while I'm here. Sometimes I also just say F anxiety. I know these aren't great tools but they help me sometimes.
So I don't have anxiety. Am looking at this board because I have a child who does.
I remember though in my early married days getting worried when my husband did not come home when he usually did. We lived at the time in New York City, which in those days was very unsafe. It was always a meeting that went late (pre-cell days--hard to phone).
One day I decided to play out my worry. What was the worst that could have happened? Clearly that he had some sort of accident or was the victim of a violent crime and had either died or was in the hospital ICU. Then I visualized what would happen next--a policeman coming to the door, a call from the hospital. What would I do next? Get a cab to the hospital or coroner's office. Then the next thing and the next thing all the way to days of vigil at the hospital or planning and attending a funeral.
I call this indulging in the worst case scenario. It is much like what people do who dream about winning the lottery--first I'll quit my job and watch the faces of everyone at work who ever disrespected me, then I will buy a Ferrari and watch the faces of the people I'll pass buy, then I will sell my modest home and go looking for a house in the best area of town or Palm Beach etc. it is reverse lottery thinking.
Visualizing each step sequentially and how I would handle each one gave me something much more concrete to think about than diffuse worry and more importantly gave me confidence that whatever it was I could handle it. I have never worried again about things that have not actually happened, although in some cases I still go through a step by step visualization of the worst case scenario. In fact, emergencies that have happened since then have not phased me; I have visualized so many emergencies in my mind and how I would deal with each step that it feels like I have done this hundreds of times before. I have been to ERs numerous times with family members and the nurses invariably remark on how calm I am.
Perhaps you could use this technique for your health worries. You have itching skin. Your worst case scenario is leukemia. You think about going to the doctor and him reporting that you have leukemia. Then you visualize the next steps: telling your friends and family, how you would respond to their reactions at the news, undergoing chemo or radiation. You think about who you could contact to go with you to these treatments, how you get there, how you get back. how you would tell your boss and who could step in to do the work at your job while you are absent. The steps you would take sequentially to arrange your private affairs. Steps you would take to do something you had always wanted to do but have never got around to.
Think about what you would do if the treatment worked--what special things might you do to celebrate. Then the steps you would take if the treatment was not working, hospice perhaps. What steps you'd take to prepare in advance the funeral arrangements, cremation vs. casket, songs you'd like to be sung at the service, etc.
This may sound really crazy, but I think this kind of visualization exercise can have a very calming effect. You can handle the worst case scenario, you can handle whatever it is that comes with a leukemia diagnosis, so no need for anxiety. And maybe you'll just decide to lather on the lotion and give it a few more days and if you do go to a doctor you'll be much calmer when you get there.
I remember though in my early married days getting worried when my husband did not come home when he usually did. We lived at the time in New York City, which in those days was very unsafe. It was always a meeting that went late (pre-cell days--hard to phone).
One day I decided to play out my worry. What was the worst that could have happened? Clearly that he had some sort of accident or was the victim of a violent crime and had either died or was in the hospital ICU. Then I visualized what would happen next--a policeman coming to the door, a call from the hospital. What would I do next? Get a cab to the hospital or coroner's office. Then the next thing and the next thing all the way to days of vigil at the hospital or planning and attending a funeral.
I call this indulging in the worst case scenario. It is much like what people do who dream about winning the lottery--first I'll quit my job and watch the faces of everyone at work who ever disrespected me, then I will buy a Ferrari and watch the faces of the people I'll pass buy, then I will sell my modest home and go looking for a house in the best area of town or Palm Beach etc. it is reverse lottery thinking.
Visualizing each step sequentially and how I would handle each one gave me something much more concrete to think about than diffuse worry and more importantly gave me confidence that whatever it was I could handle it. I have never worried again about things that have not actually happened, although in some cases I still go through a step by step visualization of the worst case scenario. In fact, emergencies that have happened since then have not phased me; I have visualized so many emergencies in my mind and how I would deal with each step that it feels like I have done this hundreds of times before. I have been to ERs numerous times with family members and the nurses invariably remark on how calm I am.
Perhaps you could use this technique for your health worries. You have itching skin. Your worst case scenario is leukemia. You think about going to the doctor and him reporting that you have leukemia. Then you visualize the next steps: telling your friends and family, how you would respond to their reactions at the news, undergoing chemo or radiation. You think about who you could contact to go with you to these treatments, how you get there, how you get back. how you would tell your boss and who could step in to do the work at your job while you are absent. The steps you would take sequentially to arrange your private affairs. Steps you would take to do something you had always wanted to do but have never got around to.
Think about what you would do if the treatment worked--what special things might you do to celebrate. Then the steps you would take if the treatment was not working, hospice perhaps. What steps you'd take to prepare in advance the funeral arrangements, cremation vs. casket, songs you'd like to be sung at the service, etc.
This may sound really crazy, but I think this kind of visualization exercise can have a very calming effect. You can handle the worst case scenario, you can handle whatever it is that comes with a leukemia diagnosis, so no need for anxiety. And maybe you'll just decide to lather on the lotion and give it a few more days and if you do go to a doctor you'll be much calmer when you get there.
After 6 days Lexapro hasn't had a chance to take effect. It takes 8 weeks for the full effect.
I was just given Lexapro but haven't took it yet. I've been on klonopin for two weeks. Doc seems to think that a SSRI is the way to go. Has the Lexapro helped?
I left you a message in your box with my email address. Please send me a copy of the note from your psychiatrist coz I am suffering from anxiety too. Thank you.
I found that once I had a lot of tests at hospital for physical pains, I accepted that it was all due to my anxiety. I now accept there is nothing physicallywrong with me, but that does not ease my general anxiety.
If we feel there is something wrong, than I suggest asking doctor for referral for tests so you can ease your mind.
I do so admire people who do not get anxiety. How much easier life is for them. But we are all different, and we cannot help how we are.
If we feel there is something wrong, than I suggest asking doctor for referral for tests so you can ease your mind.
I do so admire people who do not get anxiety. How much easier life is for them. But we are all different, and we cannot help how we are.
You have a bit of a point there.
My response was too short. I should have mentioned that you should go to doc first to get a diagnosis. If the diagnosis is that there is no problem then any search on google is not going to get you the diagnosis, but might turn up some clues however it is better to get a second opinion if you don't think your first diagnosis was correct. Anxiety860 said he "always jumps to the worst conclusion and is always wrong", so my advice is to stop googling because it will always tell you that you will die - go to doc and try to find a way to accept the diagnosis.
I recommend therapy. A therapist will find patterns that anxiety 860 does, and show him techniques to avoid or break the patterns. Until this happens his jumping to the worst and wrong conclusion is a pattern that makes Mr. anxiety happy but anxiety860 suffers in pain.
My response was too short. I should have mentioned that you should go to doc first to get a diagnosis. If the diagnosis is that there is no problem then any search on google is not going to get you the diagnosis, but might turn up some clues however it is better to get a second opinion if you don't think your first diagnosis was correct. Anxiety860 said he "always jumps to the worst conclusion and is always wrong", so my advice is to stop googling because it will always tell you that you will die - go to doc and try to find a way to accept the diagnosis.
I recommend therapy. A therapist will find patterns that anxiety 860 does, and show him techniques to avoid or break the patterns. Until this happens his jumping to the worst and wrong conclusion is a pattern that makes Mr. anxiety happy but anxiety860 suffers in pain.
Hi, realizing what is causing this worry is key to understanding it. I would say that most who have health anxiety are in fear of dying. And asking guestions about this fear is crucial.
If you are afraid something will kill you, then googling it long enough and you will find some article that says it will kill you. Googling with health worries is the path to anxiety.
Here is a CNN article about dealing with anx. http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/04/health/ramprasad-depression/index.html?hpt=hp_bn13
Here is a CNN article about dealing with anx. http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/04/health/ramprasad-depression/index.html?hpt=hp_bn13
I have some awsome notes that my psychiatris gave me to help me cope . It gives you very accurate info on all types of anxiety and panick attacks there is. Although it wont help you overcome you health anxiety as only you can but it does help reduce the symptoms drasticaly and minimizes irrational patterns of thought with the exercises and psychological exercises it tells you to do but its much more complex than what I make it to be.It took about 15days before I felt a differenceyou you suppose to feel a difference in 10days but I have severe health anxiety and I think thats why it took abit longer with me but I am functional again and I refuse to take medication so if it worked for me it will work for anyone. So drop me a mail and Ill email them to who ever wants them.:)
Even having constant itchy skin will trigger my anxiety. I heard it can be a sign of leaukenia it something idk I stay off the net now and my skin always itches. I try to tell myself. Well it is winter. Rarely does it get above 50 where I'm at. I'm sure this dry cold weather is playing a role. Plus my blood tests were fine and I physically feel fine.. For the most part.. This self talk will help then oh skin itches again! (Has been going on for past 3 months). Ahh anxiety can sure make me feel like a wacko :)
Wow! I'm sorry you all feel this, but what a reassurance this post gave me!!! Although I don't wish this to anyone, I feel better knowing I'm not alone. There's a new worry every songle day! One day I have heart problems, then MS, cancer..... I had a physical, Obgyn appt. and psychiatrist.... All tests are fine, the doctors even told me they are jealous of my results, cause they were so good. But still, I don't believe in them! I'm driving myself and my family and friends crazy!
I'm on the fourth day of Lexapro, and the side effects now makes me think I'm really sick! I really hope this med helps me, it has on the past....
God bless us all!
I'm on the fourth day of Lexapro, and the side effects now makes me think I'm really sick! I really hope this med helps me, it has on the past....
God bless us all!
I also found medication was the only thing that helped me. And going into the doctors every 2 weeks to be reassured. Which isn't realistic. I will watch a beautiful mind though I actually haven't seen it. All tests say I'm fine but I swear its been something new everyday lately
The only way I freed myself from anxiety was with anti depressant pills, but now I have stopped those, the anxiety has returned. I have read books and articles on the internet, and try everything to relieve the anxiety. Some do help in the short term. I think the only real way to ease anxiety is with medication, but like me, many people do not want to do this.
I take quite a few supplements, do relaxation, breathing control, you name it, I do it. I find I feel better as the day wears on. Something to do with chemicals in the brain I think.
I take quite a few supplements, do relaxation, breathing control, you name it, I do it. I find I feel better as the day wears on. Something to do with chemicals in the brain I think.
Lucinda Basset, she has a great book about anxiety. She had a program that I tried when I was younger but the anxiety came back for me. Which means I will get at it again! It's a great tool
I am the same love, everyday I think I'm gonna die as I get regular pains in chest and my left arm is now affected, Ive had tests and nothing but this does not provide reassurance at all. My health anxiety is out of control right now! :( xx
It will help you to watch (again) movie Beautiful Mind, the scene when John Nesh realise what was imagination and what was reallity :)
You can look up a method called tapping or you could always go the medication route.
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