Aa
I have severe health anxiety and now I'm scared that I have MS
Hello. I started obsessing over my body, looking for sings of illness after my dad passed away in 2013. In 2016, I started having mild twitching and pain on my right cheek.I also had my final exams that year and my cousin passed away due to an accident. I started having extreme pain on my legs and arms and I was dizzy all the time. I went to the doctor almost everyday and she told me that it is stress and anxiety. I went to multiple doctors and one of them gave me a B12 supplement. I was okay after that. I then suspected that I have multiple diseases and the hypochondria has become worse. I started having pain in my shoulder a few days ago and I Googled the symptoms. I came account MS and ever since, I feel like I have ALL THE symptoms like tingling, twitching, blurred vision, weakness etc. I went to two doctors and both of them told me that it is anxiety and one of them asked me to visit a psychiatrist. They did not run any test. I can't stop obsessing over it and I'm very scared. Please help.
Health anxiety is very common and I'm sorry you have it. I always think it is wisest to have a full physical (everyone should have one annually any way). Then go from there. After a death, this can be a likely time that we start thinking about our own mortality and when we hyper focus on something like a twitch, pain, etc ,it amplifies. But seeing a doctor first lets you be sure it is not something medical going on as no one here could tell you it is and isn't if you haven't had a medical opinion first. Once you know it isn't, then you work on anxiety as if it is a cancer, heart issue, digestive issue. Anxiety IS the illness that you need to conquer just like if you were diagnosed with something. Anxiety is treatable. Therapy helps often, lifestyle things such as exercise, meditation, good sleep and eating habits and some people do need medication to deal with anxiety. No shame in it, look around you. Chances are that if you are in a group of 4 or 5, one of you will need help with anxiety or depression. It's that common. So, see your doctor and go from there.
6 Comments
Oh, and if you've already done the physical part, then work with your doctor. Talk to your general practitioner first and get a referral if needed to talk to a psychiatrist. You can probably find a counselor on your own but they can help with that too. good luck
They aren't willing to run any test on me because I've already gone to them with TB, lung cancer, HIV, breast cancer and a lot of other diseases and I'm only 17. They have run numerous other tests and everything turned out fine. They haven't done an MRI yet. And I doubt that they will because they are convinced that it's anxiety. I've already had and episode like this last year and I was fine after some vitamin supplements. MS
*MS is progressive and doesn't come and go right? At least that's what they've told me.
OHHHH, didn't realize you are 17. Hon, please please talk to your parents about an anxiety disorder. You need help for this. You are much too young to have these concerns or constant out of control fear.
My parents are not willing to opt for therapy so I'm just stuck in a whirlpool of pain and panic. I don't know what else i can do.
Why are your parents unwilling to get you help? You don't say. Have you shown them this thread? It might get their attention. But when you start college, there will be most likely some health benefits included in your tuition, and most have some kind of therapists on staff. You don't need your parent's permission or money to do that.
Why don't you follow his advice and seek therapy? This is a chronic problem for you worrying about nothing, so you might get some relief from a professional who has seen people with your problem before.
3 Comments
Only one of the doctors asked me to seek therapy but the other gave me something called chlorpromazine. It makes me really sleepy and I don't think it's working (I have taken it only for a day so I don't think it will work that quick) I am apprehensive about seeking therapy because my parents aren't okay with it
This is confusing. This is an antipsychotic if you have the drug's name right, and you're not describing psychosis. I'm also noticing you say you got better after taking B12. Some people have a problem absorbing B vitamins because of a genetic mutation. For most people this doesn't actually produce any symptoms, but for a few it does and doctors can test for this by testing something called homocysteine levels. I doubt this is your problem, but you always want to rule out physiological problems. But from your description, it sounds like you're having some emotional difficulties perhaps based on something that happened to you, and I think the suggestion to see a psychologist is a very good one. If you have a problem with your parents regarding this, show them this thread -- we've all had anxiety problems and while nobody can guarantee therapy will help it's a good place to start and when it works it fixes the problem. Medication is sometimes necessary if your life spins out of control, but they don't fix the problem, they make you feel better and better able to get on with your life. If you can fix it, it is better, and when you're young, medication can be more problematic because your brain is still developing. I'm wondering if the drug you're describing is the one you're really taking because again, this isn't for what you're describing, it's for much more severe problems. Is it perhaps chlomipramine? That is a difficult to take med, but it is used for OCD and anxiety problems. If you do decide medication is the right avenue, you might want to consult a psychiatrist, not a regular doc, if what you've been diagnosed with is anxiety. Another name for what you're taking is Thorazine if you want to research it.
Yes, what I'm taking right now is Chlorpromazine. I've never really had to take anything for my anxiety before this. I don't know what my problem is and the doctors are constantly telling me that it's nothing but anxiety. Right now, I feel like my heart is gonna pop out my mouth and I've been having pain on my palm and hands and some major twitching which WASN'T THERE before I started freaking out about the symptoms I found online. I keep telling myself that it will go away but it only makes me concentrate on it even more. Therapy is not even an option right now because I start college in a few weeks and my parents aren't willing to put me in therapy. The last time I had something like this, it stayed for a couple of weeks. I'm really scared. I need answers :(
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Anxiety Community
Find out what can trigger a panic attack – and what to do if you have one.
A guide to 10 common phobias.
Take control of tension today.
These simple pick-me-ups squash stress.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
Want to wake up rested and refreshed?
