Bad health anxiety, please help me!!!

[heyzeidy]

I've been diagnosed with health anxiety by my psychiatrist. We're going to start CBT tomorrow for it.
My concern and question right now is that I'm convinced I have a blood clot and I'm conviced I'm going to die because of it.
I've been having this burning stabbing pain around my bra line for days now that come with and goes.
I've gotten test done, ekg, x ray,  blood work, and catscan to rule out pulmonary embolism. They all came back normal but blood clots can for at any time. Within a week or just a few hours. They've told me if I didn't have one then I wouldn't have one now but if I don't then what are the pains I feel??

[Goldensong57]

Have you had your homones checked?  What brought on your fear of blood clots?

[bikerbabe222]

Relax. I can almost guarantee you that your symptoms are self-caused. It sounds to me like you have anxiety, as well as OCD. OCD is not just in the form of performing rituals/ect, but also with having obsessive thoughts. This sounds to me like this is what's going on here. I can relate to you, i have health anxiety about STD's, which interferes with my relationships. I also constantly worry about them, even when I refrain from sexual activity. So I understand what you're going through. It's interesting because i'm almost going to graduate with my psychology degree, and I can't even help myself, only other people. Isn't it funny how that works.

CBT is very good for this kind of disorder, but if this doesn't work try EDMR (Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing). This can be very effective in treating patients that have anxiety or OCD about a certain situation. This kind of therapy helps desensitize you to your fear. I estimate that you will need more than one therapy session for this- perhaps a few.

Also, keep yourself very busy. You didn't state if you work, exercise, go to school, etc; but keeping busy will help this anxiety subside and the episodes will become farther and farther apart. Also, try to go for a run in the morning if you have time. I go for a run every morning and this really helps with my anxiety. When you get anxiety, you have a lack of serotonin in your brain and exercising can provide you with this serotonin that requires no medication and is healthy for you (not that i'm against medication).

You are really depriving yourself from living a healthy, happy lifestyle. I know it's easier said than done, but try to just live your life to fullest. We could easily all wonder and think "Oh no, what if I get in a car accident today and die". But if we thought this way, none of us would ever leave our house. You have to have faith and accept the medical information given to you. This information is FACTUAL.

Lastly, I would like to leave you with one thing. If you ever have a panic attack or feel your anxiety coming on, do this- Sit against a chair with your head and back all the way back against the chair. Relax your whole body and if you notice any kinks or stress spots, try to massage those out or relax them. Then start to think about what you feel (as in the material of the chair), what you smell in the room, what you have to do later on, maybe what you're having for dinner. Before you know it you anxiety will have subsided and will be more manageable.

Hope this helps!

[RubyWitch]

You have written us several times regarding your fear of blood clots, even after having multiple medical tests to rule them out.

I think it is a VERY good thing that you're going to begin therapy because this issue will definitely be dealt with during your sessions.

Nobody on this forum can tell you why you are having pains.........After a complete medical work-up in which nothing is or was found, that pretty much leaves anxiety as the culprit. Your therapy is going to help you figure that out.

I wish you the best
RubyWitch