cancer anxiety

[connordunn32]

im a 16 year old man and i have insane anxiety about having cancer. my mom was diagnosed with cancer 3 months ago and ever since then im always scared i have cancer, my lymph nodes are swollen on my neck but i already went to the doctor to get it checked and he said its just because of my acne which i have pretty bad, i also get acne around my pelvis sometimes were my i have 2 lymph nodes swollen, i lost around 35 pounds last year because i got a job and was really stressed out and started to only eat around 1-2 times a day but  i keep telling my self i have cancer, im pretty sure i dont but my mind keeps telling me i do and i dont know what to do. ive been to the doctor since i lost weight because of a stomach virus but he didnt seem worried about my weight loss, this anxiety comes and goes, i dont have any other "symptoms"but my mind keeps telling me that i have cancer and im gonna die. i have panic attacks sometimes because of it and im always paranoid about it. im thinking about going to a theropist or something to help me with my anxiety.

[AnxiousNoMore]

Almost no one gets cancer at age 16 so you should be safe. Try to focus on that idea and see if it helps.

[specialmom]

Hi there.  I'm so sorry to hear about your mom.  That is so hard!!  I'm sure that is traumatic to you as at 16 your mom is so important (well, they always are but as a teen, we are still dependent on them.  We as in you, I AM a mom now.  :>))  I hope she is doing better and things are going alright with her cancer.

I think it is normal for that to frighten you and to make you look at your own health in such a way.  Health anxiety is real.  I have a bit of it myself after a health scare with breast cancer.  But understanding that anxiety is faulty thinking helps.  There are lots of books at the library on this subject that might be of benefit to you.  Your school counselor would also be a great help. Perhaps your mom's treatment center has family resources that might help you.  Check into those.  Anxiety is tough to live with but it's treatable.  good luck