Based on the description, what does this sound like?

[poesy]

(Long post, sorry)
First off, I'm 16. I remember that when I was 6 or 7 years old I started doing strange things - like constantly situating items on tables so they would look orderly. Also I had a thing where I was afraid to step out of the room with my right foot or touch things with my left hand. When I accidentally stepped out of the room with my right foot, I would go back and step out with my left foot. And when I touched something with my left hand, I instantly had to touch it with my right hand. I was convinced that if I don't, something bad (don't know what) would happen. Also, when I was speaking or thinking in my head, I always had to make sure I don't end the sentence with the letter "S". So I constantly had to change the structure of my sentences. I didn't know that there was a name for that kind of behaviour, but a few years ago I saw a tv show on OCD and thought that what I was having, sounds kind of alike. Do you agree?
This behavior was pretty severe till I was about 12, now I get it less frequently. The thing I get most now is checking the stove at least 5 times before I'm sure that it's turned off. And every day when I leave school I have to check several times that I took MY bag with me and not accidentaly take someone else's bag. And just looking at the bag isn't enough. I have to look inside for my keys and other items to be sure that the bag belongs to me even though no one in my class has the same bag as I. And when my family goes somewhere by car or when they haven't come home in time I always call them to make sure they haven't gotten into an accident. Sounds strange, I know : (.

For a few years now I suffer from frequent thoughts about different diseases. My biggest fear currently is hiv. I got tested for it and it was negative and after that I started worrying that they infected me in the clinic, when drawing blood.
The diseases change. Like, when I started having headaches, I thought I had a brain tumor. When I got stomach pains, I though I had stomach cancer, when I got breast pain, I thought it was breast cancer. The symptoms are real, I don't make them up, but it's just that doctors have never found anything physically wrong with me and have suggested that I see a psychologist (which I will do, soon). Currently, I have a lot of symptoms. Just recently I was admitted to the hospital, so the doctors could run all the tests at the same time. I had a lot of tests done and the results were the same as always - I am physically fine. They did so many tests that they said it is impossible that they've missed something.
Also, the thing is that everytime I see a doctor and they assure me that everything is fine, I get a little better (both physically and mentally). I start feeling less nervous. But after some time, doubt starts to kick in (What if they missed something? What if I have a rare disease? What if they accidentally gave me someone else's results?).
And every day I go through the same cycle several times. First, I start to think about a disease and that I definitely have it, then start to think about every symptom I have ever had, then I start thinking what are the chances of me having that disease, am I in the risk group. When coming to a conclusion that the chances are slim (but still there) I calm down a bit, when coming to a conclusion that the chances are big (don't really know if they are big, but to me, they seem to be), I just break down and start crying and calm down hours later. Once when I thought I had ovarian cancer I actually started throwing up during panicking. I also check my tongue, skin and nails pretty frequently to see if there is any change in them. And I google my symptoms basically every day.

So, what do you people think? Does it sound like anxiety? Has anyone here ever had something similar?

[worrykid]

ya I still get those some times, I only get it thought when something makes me really worried or anxious.

[poesy]

Thanks for the reply.


Also, I wanted to ask if anyone with anxiety has ever experienced low-grade fevers? Or feeling really hot or cold without actually having a fever? Because I get that a lot. A few years back I was actually sent home from school by the school nurse many times because I got a fever. This happened esp. when I had a test coming up or a class that I didn't like much. But it also happened when I was completely calm.

[worrykid]

hey there, well first off I am not a doctor and i am simply speaking from personal experience.

When i was younger i went through the same thing when i used to worry about having cancer or HIV or anytime a symptom came up i thought there had to be something wrong with me. It still happens now but not as frequently,infact the last time it happen was about 9 months ago and it lasted all of 2 days and then i was fine.

It does sound like anxiety. I have been through anxiety and still am dealing with it but i can reasure you if you talk to your parents and get what ever help is needed,it will greatly help the anxiety. Now im not saying its gonna go away in a day or even a week. Its all based off of how you deal with it personally. Everyones case is different and only you can change yourself. So dont just sit around thinking someone is gonna come and fix all your problems with anxiety.

I first started by seeing the school's counsellor and i figured out what i believe to be the root of my anxiety. i then spoke to my parents and together we worked through it. I find telling my parents or someone you really trust is very comforting. You are not alone in this by any means. Another method i found to really help was meditation.

Now bare with me on this one. I know a lot of people kinda just think meditation is abunch of people sitting in a circle with their eyes closed, at least thats what i thought. But i found a meditation program near my house and gave it a shot. It really helped. They teach you how to just live for today. Not to worry about tomorrow or the next day, but just reacting to what is infront of you. Now this is easier said then done. I finished that course about 2 months ago and I still have troubles focusing on today, but I find it has made a drastic difference with my anxiety.

One thing i can tell you from personal experience, googleling a desease or symptoms makes it WORSE. Now im not saying its bad. What I'm saying is when you google it you look up the symptoms and as you read through them, you start thinking that that little spot on your arm is what there talking about so it must be cancer. Or just cuz your feeling low and tierd that you must be in depression. You have to stop.......take a deep breath.............and just relax. By looking stuff up on google you are only feeding your anxiety. Now if what your researching is something you truely are dealing with (like possibly anxiety ) then look up ways to treat anxiety and ways to deal with. But by just look up the symptoms and not finding solutions, you are simply driving yourself nuts.

Well i hope something in there helped and stay strong. By the way im 19, so i know what your going through. keeping it from your friends because you dont think they will understand. and having to deal with school, work, and siblings. I find if your having troubles focusing at school. just pull the teacher aside and tell them that your having a rough time recently and your working on getting help. This way they know that something is going on so if your grades start to slip,they will be nicer and approach you to talk about what ever you want to.

Stay Strong :)

Worrykid