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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Hypochondria
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
Hypochondria
by worryseattle, Jan 27, 2005 12:00AM
Hello...Thanks for this forum.
Brief history of myself
I am 21 yr old college student who has had anxiety all my life, but which became pronounced upon starting college. My fears revolve mostly around my health. I have heart PVC's which were my first concern, and which were checked out thoroughly (although i still am bothered by them)
Second, I had headaches and became convinced that I might have an aneurysm or something. I recently had an MRI/MRA to exclude that possibility after seeing a neurologist. During the time I was waiting for the results of the MRA i developed my newest and concern which is exteremly concerning to me.
After sitting for a couple of days worrying, i delevoped leg pain. I went to the ER where they checked my electrolytes, thyroid and d-dimer(sp?) for clotting. At the same time, my legs had started to have fasciculations all over. I didn't concern myself with this after the ER visit. Got my MRA results which were normal, then over the next three days the fasciculations have spread to both legs, and arms, as well as thumbs, buttocks and occasionally elsewhere. Now I am terrified that I could have ALS or MS. Today I see a GP and i will ask him about all this, but i need more help.
1) Do you think that constant (24/7) fasciculations could be caused by anxiety? This is the primary reason that I am writing to the forum, because this problem is absolutely terrifying me. (Its been constant, ~ 1 wk.)
2) I think I should restart Paxil (which I have taken in the past) Could that make them worse? I never had them before when i took paxil.
3) Do you think I should go back to the neurologist to check this new problem out? It was happening when I saw him, but i hadn't yet become nervous about it.
4) I started the hep-b series of vaccines about 8 months ago, although i was worried about reports of MS and the vaccine. Now that thought is scaring me. Have there been any studies to exclude this possibility?
5) Finally...I have had many medical tests, which has been expensive for my father, myself, and my insurer. My dad is an ER doctor and he refuses to do any testing on me at all because he said it just fans the flames. I, however, often feel much better after having testing done. For instance, after over one year of worrying about aneurysm, i won't anymore because of the test. In your experience, do you think that testing is warranted in cases like mine?
Thank you so much in advance!
And sorry for the length.
-worried in seattle
Brief history of myself
I am 21 yr old college student who has had anxiety all my life, but which became pronounced upon starting college. My fears revolve mostly around my health. I have heart PVC's which were my first concern, and which were checked out thoroughly (although i still am bothered by them)
Second, I had headaches and became convinced that I might have an aneurysm or something. I recently had an MRI/MRA to exclude that possibility after seeing a neurologist. During the time I was waiting for the results of the MRA i developed my newest and concern which is exteremly concerning to me.
After sitting for a couple of days worrying, i delevoped leg pain. I went to the ER where they checked my electrolytes, thyroid and d-dimer(sp?) for clotting. At the same time, my legs had started to have fasciculations all over. I didn't concern myself with this after the ER visit. Got my MRA results which were normal, then over the next three days the fasciculations have spread to both legs, and arms, as well as thumbs, buttocks and occasionally elsewhere. Now I am terrified that I could have ALS or MS. Today I see a GP and i will ask him about all this, but i need more help.
1) Do you think that constant (24/7) fasciculations could be caused by anxiety? This is the primary reason that I am writing to the forum, because this problem is absolutely terrifying me. (Its been constant, ~ 1 wk.)
2) I think I should restart Paxil (which I have taken in the past) Could that make them worse? I never had them before when i took paxil.
3) Do you think I should go back to the neurologist to check this new problem out? It was happening when I saw him, but i hadn't yet become nervous about it.
4) I started the hep-b series of vaccines about 8 months ago, although i was worried about reports of MS and the vaccine. Now that thought is scaring me. Have there been any studies to exclude this possibility?
5) Finally...I have had many medical tests, which has been expensive for my father, myself, and my insurer. My dad is an ER doctor and he refuses to do any testing on me at all because he said it just fans the flames. I, however, often feel much better after having testing done. For instance, after over one year of worrying about aneurysm, i won't anymore because of the test. In your experience, do you think that testing is warranted in cases like mine?
Thank you so much in advance!
And sorry for the length.
-worried in seattle
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Jan 28, 2005 12:00AM
, Jan 28, 2005 12:00AM
I think every thing you described falls into the category of anxiety and you should be seeing a therapist rather than looking for a quick fix or the next diagnosis.
This is a period of your life of profound changes in your individuality,and your illusion of safety. These symptoms are the expression of this transition. Try finding my book in the libary, it explains all this and may help. Its transformations, growth and change in adult life...roger l. gould,m.d.
This is a period of your life of profound changes in your individuality,and your illusion of safety. These symptoms are the expression of this transition. Try finding my book in the libary, it explains all this and may help. Its transformations, growth and change in adult life...roger l. gould,m.d.
Why in the world would someone recommend a drug when someone is almost there as far as discovering their own problem and ready to talk about it?