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Health anxiety taking over my life Since I got the flu this year, I’ve been constantly worrying about my health. I wake up in a panic every day. I am constantly worrying that I’m losing my vision or that I have MS, brain tumor, etc. I’ve gotten blood work that all came back perfect. I’m only a teenager but these worries are controlling me all the time. I’ve been on medication for a month and a half and started seeing a therapist a couple of weeks ago but it still isn’t doing the trick. Are there any tips that you guys can give? I’m beginning to feel hopeless. | Anxiety |
Bladder cancer and heart disease I'm 26 I kno that my age doesn't mean I'm invincible to all cancers or disease
But can I have reassurance
I pee a lot sometimes like 5+ an hour
Idk. And I think have heart disease cuz I get skipped beats when I exercise so does that mean my heart cant handle stress | Anxiety |
Might take a while to get my meds, what can I do? Hello. So it’s been a while since I posted on here.
It’s been a while since I’ve been able to get my meds. A mixture of Not being able to see my doctor/ refills being denied because I need to see him for a checkup.
I have a weird work schedule and his appointments are on days where I can’t make it (I work mid shift, 5 days a week). I got an appointment with him but it’s not till April 11.
I’m kind of struggling. Mainly I’m at work and if feels like I’m There but I’m not there. I’m on edge from the stress of work and school and every few minutes I feel like crying and screaming at people because recently, I feel like people are acting stupid for no reason. It’s just little things that are annoying me and It’s just so stressful.
What can I do to make it until April 11? I’m not in a crisis or anything but I just need advice, if that’s alright?
Edit: My medications are WellbutrinXL and Duloxetine. I haven’t had these since February 20th? That’s when I ran out, and I’ve been taking these since July of 2022. | Anxiety |
anxiety over leg numbness so i've had crippling anxiety/health anxiety for 2 years now. it's been such a torture in my life and i still havent gone to see a therapist (mostly financial reasons). but anyway two nights ago my left leg started feeling restless while i was lying in bed and i didn't think much of it and went to bed with no problem. i woke up forgetting about it until i remembered and the feeling came back even worse. it feels like how your limbs feel after they fall asleep and you wake them up - slightly numb and tingly and sometimes it feels kinda like how your legs burn after you exercise. this has been going on for two days and it's caused me so much panic because i automatically think its DVT. it was so bad that last night i had the worst panic attack i've ever had and i legitimately could not breathe. i took a xanax and i could breathe again and went to sleep but i've been dealing with it all day and my breathing has been hay wire today which is especially great since DVT can lead to pulmonary embolism which is shortness of breath so lol.... i'm going to the doctor tomorrow but i'm scared as hell. i'm trying to convince myself it's just a pinched nerve but it's so hard. i really hate living like this because i'm not even living at all. | Anxiety |
Inhalated AC/refrigerant chemicals Today, I was in sitting in a lounge area of a building at my university for about 10 minutes. All of a sudden, someone (who happens to be the professor of a class I'm in) walks by and asks "Does it smell like burning plastic in here to anyone else?". I took a whiff, and lo and behold, there was a *very* strong odor. A repair man eventually determined the problem to be that the HVAC system was leaking fluids into the ventilation. I left the building soon after the professor made his remarks, but I did return briefly a couple times to see if it had gotten better and to retrieve the laptop I left there.
Since then (this was about an hour ago), I've kinda been feeling a weird sensation in my lungs or possibly my esophagus (not sure). How worried should I be about chemical inhalation, etc.? | Anxiety |
stomach disease anxiety I had spicy chicken three days ago. The very next morning tummy ache started. Also had to go to bathroom for like three times. Took tablets from local pharmacy. I felt better by that evening.
After two days of this happening, my stomach is stiff, feels like stuffed and looks bigger now. Like suddenly it got bigger like I have increased weight!
Should I see a doctor?
Please help! The anxiety of having some terrible disease is killing me. | Anxiety |
Having trouble sleeping. I have quetiapine and I know it works for me. Tempted to take 25mg so I can sleep. When I try to close my eyes, I have so many thoughts and I’ve tried to talk aloud and tell myself to stop thinking about them but after a few minutes, there they are again in my head.
Part of me want to not take it but I have work later and I want to make sure I get enough sleep. | Anxiety |
I'm a lot scared about my mom's lower leg pain Hi! First of all, I made a second account to talk about these personal issues, I use my personal account (which has my real name) for a lot of public things and didn't feel comfortable in sharing those personal issues there.
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My mom had breast cancer six years ago, and treated it successfully, doing chemo and radiotherapy. Fortunately, it was diagnosed very early. She is totally cured now, and constantly monitors her breast and
thyroid (which she had some benign cysts). She is 60 and doesn't smoke or drink at all.
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Last week, she removed a dot on her face. The biopsy returned Basal Cell Carcinoma, but with no spread on close lymphs. The dermatologist said it was nothing to worry about.
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But yesterday she said she had been felling pain around the tibia for about a year and half. It's a pain she feels deep, that comes for some time (like a week), then disappear for some months, then comes back. It doesn't seem to be affected by exercise, but hurts at night. While she was pressing the region to show me where it was, she said she could feel it hurt a little, even if, at that moment, it wasn't hurting the way it used to. There is no swelling at all, and she said it never was. She also said the pain is the same since it begun.
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And she had been having some cramps a while ago, the doctors said it could be a neuropaty caused by the medications she took, like tamoxifen. She also said these cramps usually stops when this pain begins.
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She said she's worried about it being a bone metastasis from the breast cancer.
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From what I know, it's extremely unlikely that a metastasis from a cancer she treated back in 2013 (and which, in that time, had no secondary tumor detected) could only appear now.
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But I'm extremely worried about other cancer possibilities. Like a primary bone cancer, or a secondary cancer from a hidden tumor that originated in other part of the body.
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The rational part of me says it's probably neuropaty, or even some other symptom caused maybe by her age, and if that pain was bone cancer, she probably would be gone now, or at least the pain would have gotten worse after all this time, or even some swelling would have appeared.
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But the other part (the same that worried about me having ALS because of some twitches) says it could be cancer. She has an appointment with the same doctor that treated her cancer on Monday, but, until then, I can't help but be terrified about this possibility.
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Has anyone had any similar experience? Is the rational part of me probably right once again? | Anxiety |
Scared of brain amoeba Exactly one year ago I was in New Zealand where they have these geothermal pools which have a brain eating amoeba in them, which is why you shouldn't inhale that water. I didn't go into one of those but I did go into a normal hot tub and scraped my knee doing so. And I sat there for a minute before realising that it was actually bleeding so I went up and cleaned the wound and put a band aid on. Then I sat back in but didn't put my knee back in. Lately I have been freaking out over this because I have been thinking a lot about health related things. I have heard that if you do get infected you will notice the symptoms really quickly but since it's been a year I should be in the clear, right? | Anxiety |
Lexapro? Anyone else take lexapro? I was just prescribed it this afternoon and made the mistake of reading the possible side effects. | Anxiety |
I thought I was crazy and alone I’ve suffered from hypercondria for years due to paranoia from almost dying when I was a baby and I thought I was completely crazy. Staying up to ungodly hours, worried about every little thing, thinking the world was foreshadowing my death, etc.
I was (still kind of am) angry and annoyed at myself and forced myself to suffer in silence because I was being unreasonable. But. Like. There are other people like me. I’m not trapped in my own mind, or if I am, I’m not alone here.
I’m literally crying with happiness I can’t explain it. | Anxiety |
My friend's depression
Every time my friend got depressed, he wouldn't talk to anyone. I was able to help him when I was close, but now he lives much further away from me. His desire not to talk to anyone started to increase in him and it took longer. At first I decided to leave him alone, but that didn't quite work. I try to talk to him, but it doesn't work, he doesn't reply at all unless I insist on my messages, and when I insist he gives a very short answer. I don't know what to do can someone help me please. I'm starting to worry too much about him. | Anxiety |
I'm confused, I'm not feeling good lately. Every time I want to sleep, I always feel restless | Anxiety |
Dry Skin This might be better suited for r/anxiety in general, but since my anxiety seems to be health anxiety I figured I'd start here. As a background, I've never had an anxiety/stress issue prior to September, but Labor Day weekend I had what I now know was a panic attack that sent me to the ER. Since then I've been convinced of heart disease, brain tumor, diabetes and have been under constant stress the entire time with every single thought it seems being dedicated to why I feel the way I do. MRI, ultrasounds, EKG, stress test, blood work all comes back clean and my doctor just tells me it's stress/anxiety.
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The last few weeks I have had ridiculously dry skin which I have never had before. I saw my doctor last week and again he said it's just stress and none of my tests have been out of the ordinary to suggest otherwise. He started me on Celexa (this week has been a roller coaster of suck, but I'm hopeful) for anxiety.
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Has anyone dealt with chronic dry skin as a result of anxiety? If so, what was your best way to help? I know clearing stress/anxiety, meditating, etc., but I'm thinking more of the immediate while I work on "me". It's hard to break the anxiety cycle when every time I touch something or move my skin hurts. | Anxiety |
null | Anxiety |
what needs to be done today already, but still feeling restless | Anxiety |
DAE not only fear their next attack, but fear it will be even worse and/or their worst anxiety attack experienced ever? My intrusive thoughts and anxiety have been crazy lately and these concepts have come to mind. I’m petrified I’ll truly lose it one day and be on record as having the worst attack ever known or something. Tell me I’m not alone? | Anxiety |
Yay. A new thing to worry about. Tonight while taking a drink I swallowed wrong & am convinced I aspirated some into my lungs. Spent the last 15 minutes Googling & am now worried I will end up with aspiration pneumonia.
It is always something. Always. | Anxiety |
After Grandma Died i don’t know what’s happening but my grandma died a couple days ago & physical things have been hurting me. such as:
knee pain that lasted two days then went away
lower right back pain
back pain
sore abdomen
jaw pain
tightness in chest that makes it hard to breathe
also i’m constipated so maybe it has to do something with that but i don’t think so. she died of cancer as well as other things that tied into it & im so fucking scared that i have all of what she had & that i’m going to die this year & trust me, i’ve been very anxious about my health but not as much as this. im scared all the time & i see the doctor in a week but still. plus i’m 15 & i’m so stressed & anxious & everything hurts even more | Anxiety |
Throat cancer worry Hello, I felt a bit weird today and looked at the back of my throat where there are a lot of swollen bumps that are mostly red, and some look like they might have cancer sores.. I ususally have one or two of those, my throat looks like a mess most of the time, but ENT said it looks normal. But with all these new bumps I am pretty worried...
I try to be rational, there is a flu going around, but the sudden onset of those swollen bumps makes me worry that I have cancer... | Anxiety |
For anyone struggling with fairly severe anxiety episodes - I highly recommend DBT distress tolerance skills. I recently started DBT after anxiety and depression became nearly unbearable for me, and the specific distress tolerance skills and suggestions (like hundreds of ideas about specific activities to do when feeling any kind of way) has been the most life changing thing I've learned. I know DBT is expensive and inaccessible to a lot of people, but [here is a link](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/577d2ce937c58194f7d39816/t/60c7e92fa3583448b8c6fa19/1623714139969/dbt_skills_training_handouts_and_worksheets_-_linehan_marsha_srg_.pdf) to the PDF my group uses. The distress tolerance section has a plethora of information and strategies to combat anxiety and low moods, and I highly suggest just taking a look in case anything jumps out at you. My personal favorite is the TIP acronym - cold temperatures like a cold shower or ice pack on your face, intense exercise for a brief period of time like jumping jacks for one minute, paced breathing or breath work (sometimes even fast paced breaths for thirty counts then holding as long as you can), all of which help trigger a system response that physically changes your state. Or very sour candy that distracts your brain for a second to snap out of it. Basically a bunch of tangible ideas to try out during a moment of panic. Just thought I'd share if anyone is looking for ideas. Love you all <3 | Anxiety |
Is this health anxiety? 1) checking temperature 10 times a day
2) checking blood pressure everyday
3) checking weight 10 times a day
Thinking I might have a serious disease | Anxiety |
Mama eto pera kan life e | Anxiety |
How did you overcome severe gym anxiety? Hello! I'm a gym newbie here, and I've been *really* struggling with going to the gym.
I have no excuses anymore. I've been telling myself that once I move closer to a gym, once I get a good daily routine in, once I get a job that starts later, so on and so forth... well the stars aligned and I got a gym membership! No more excuses.
Except I've got some sort of gymphobia. I have always felt this way, even went a couple times as a teenager with my dad. I was freaked out then, too.
I went once with my boyfriend right after I got the membership and I wanted to cry the ENTIRE TIME. I was SO self-conscious, to the point it affected my movements. I wasn't focusing on lifting, I was focusing on being quiet, who could see me, how light my weights were, etc. I stared at the clock, couldn't talk louder than a whisper, clung to his side... It was a massive relief to leave and I subconsciously let out a huge sigh the minute the door shut behind us.
Tried going just to treadmill the other day, walked in and went straight to the bathroom because I was so ANXIOUS! There was only one treadmill being used but I was so worried he'd see me trying to figure it out. I got so shakey and almost started crying again so I left the bathroom and went straight home.
I know for the sake of my mental health I need to overcome this, even if I find out the gym just isn't for me. This is absolutely my anxiety, particularly social anxiety and body dysphoria. What makes me anxious -
- being near other people working out (?!?!)
- seeing my reflection in the mirror
- using light weights (THEY ARE ALL LIGHT so I am just constantly anxious lmao)
- how long it takes me to set up/figure out a machine
- maybe someone else needs what I have and they are annoyed with me
- someone else using what I want and not know what to sub
- anyone talking to me in any capacity lmao
- my form (I'm new so logically I know it'll be incorrect but other people may judge me)
I'm tempted to shell out money for a personal trainer and a therapist. I'm sick of my anxiety and my body as it is, but I wanted to hear yalls advice.
Since this has been causing me so much anxiety forever, and it directly relates to my body dysphoria and anxiety, I feel like overcoming this is going to be a HUGE breakthrough for my mental health. I'd really appreciate your insight.Thank you! | Anxiety |
Possibly letting anxiety get to me? I am the type of poster that you will hate. I'm fully aware that I am 90% of the time just blowing everything out of the water with anxiety, it's been my MO for awhile.
I was at a bar talking to some women when we had to run my cousin back across the street to the hotel due to him getting into arguments. When we came back there were shots on the table for us and I really remember almost nothing after that. The only thing I remember is being in a car with one of the ladies and that guy being really grabby from the backseat.
Woke up at the lady's house the next morning and she dropped me off at my car. I've talked to her since and she's the guy did kiss me when we dropped him off. She said “you did get out to piss at one point and he followed you out. Don't know what happened but you were only gone about 45 seconds and didn't say anything when you got back in”.
That was last Friday night/Saturday morning. It's not Sunday and I have been sick as fuck. Sore throat, head stuffed up, probably one of the worst coughs I've ever had. Obviously the first thing that comes to mind to me is HIV. As far as I've been told from her nothing happened that night aside from the kiss part. I have since noticed that the condom from my wallet is gone but that honestly could have been gone for awhile before hand. I may have just forgotten to replace it. I would think if anything else happened I would be a bit sore the next day. I obviously know nothing about this person so their status would be unknown to me.
I know the general consensus will likely be that I am being overly anxious. But I know that I will not be able to calm down until I can be tested. Apparently HIV RNA tests are able to detect after 11 days? The only thing I can find about those is through this site: https://www.stdcheck.com/hiv-rna-test.php
And I'm not sure how trustworthy that is. Thanks in advance! | Anxiety |
Go to hell | Anxiety |
Trying a new way of thinking. My day normally looks something like this...
Oh man I'm dizzy. I wonder what that means. Any my left arm is weak. Is that a heart attack? Maybe a symptom of a small heart attack? Where did I get that bruse on my knee? Is that a sign of a blood clot? Should I go to the doctor again? Last time he told me to stop worrying about stuff like this. Is that a lump I'm the back of my head? Maybe that's what's causing my head ache... But what is the lump is another sign of a problem? Should I start documenting this? The doctor thinks I'm crazy but if I have all the symptoms with the times I had them he could surly run more tests. A friend I knew died for a blood clot that the doctors missed maybe my doctor missed something... etc
Recently, I started asking my friends that don't have anxiety how they deal with strange feelings in their body. Every single one of them says that they almost immediately dismiss the thought. I can't even imagine what that feels like. I focus on a part of my body so much sometimes that I actually create pain that doesn't exist. So I dug a little bit deeper and asked what happens if they were walking around one day and all of a sudden they noticed that their left arm was weak and tingly. Most of my friends with without anxiety said the same thing. I guess my arm is weak today. And then that's it. If they have a headache or if they have a chest pain or if they have an upset stomach or if their leg hurts out of nowhere they just shrug it off and think oh I guess today I'm going to have a stomach ache or I guess I'm coming down with something or something to that nature. And then if it still hurts the next day they shrug it off again and only when it's continuing to do it for like a week do they actually think I'll maybe I should go to the doctor and have it looked at. But it's not in a panicky kind of way it's just kind of like almost annoyance.
So I'm going to try that method. "Oh I guess I have a headache today". And try to leave it at that. If it lasts a week, all the talk to my doctor.
Has anyone had success doing something like this? Like just changing the way you thought? | Anxiety |
How do you keep your health records? I keep mine in a cabinet. And sometime it is really difficult to lookup, especially after we have children and paper documents became a mess!
I came up an idea to build my own application to help me do that. Check out this [http://lucycare.us](http://lucycare.us) . If it helps, feel free to support me :)
&#x200B; | Anxiety |
Hate when I'm not feeling good Even just feeling dizzy and exhausted with identifiable causes (took like 3 different laxatives within the same 48 hours and didn't drink a lot of water) is making me panic. I wish I could feel better. | Anxiety |
HA and a Palm Tree lead me to urgent care To preface, I just discovered this sub and WOW, I can’t believe there’s so many others who struggle with the same issues I do. I’ve struggled with HA since I was about 14 (I’m 24 now), and I go through periods of time where I’m fine, and then I’ll hit a rough couple of weeks that leave me absolutely crippled.
So, couple of weeks ago (after many years of worry, I am a former smoker) I finally got the reassurance that I did not have lung cancer due to shortness of breath. Following that positive news I thought to myself “okay great, finally my HA will calm down.” That was short lived. A couple of days ago I was attempting to clean palm tree debris and got stuck by a leaf/thorn. Naturally it lead me to google it because it got slightly swollen and I convinced myself I had a serious infection and Plant Thorn Arthritis (Thanks Google) So off to the urgent care I went, they laughed at me when I demanded a Tetnus shot and gave me antibiotics and sent me on my way.
I still can’t stop thinking about how I might have to get surgery to remove plant debris, it’s been consuming every thought of mine even though the swelling has gone down. In other news, I’ve had a slight tenderness in my thigh for a few months and my googling has lead me to believe I have a DVT. I’m freaking out and scheduled another doctor’s appointment for Monday....
I luckily have a very supportive SO that recognizes when I’m on my bad weeks with HA and is my safe person. It just sucks so much, we have so much planned the next few weeks and all I can focus on is my impending death.
But hey, I’m so happy I found this community and I’m looking into getting professional help for my HA and trying to figure out better ways to handle it. | Anxiety |
I'm excited but I don't know why, there's no reason, I'm nervous, I have a stomach ache but I'm scared, I know I'm tired, this is the third time today, hah — hah :) | Anxiety |
Anyone tried exposure therapy? My therapist says that exposure therapy is one of the best ways to treat health anxiety disorder, which we're starting on Thursday. Just wondered how many of you are currently receiving treatment of any kind, and how many have tried this particular modality.
She said once we get into the exposure therapy, I will need to try to limit "safety behaviors," e.g. googling, seeking comfort from my boyfriend, taking supplements, etc. (Things I do to comfort myself when the anxiety gets bad.) I'm nervous! What have you guys experienced? | Anxiety |
I'm nervous I don't know why. I don't feel calm | Anxiety |
I'm so nervous I feel why | Anxiety |
It's really restless since yesterday thinking about another second in class 12, preparations for SM are still a little bit, there's a lot to worry about | Anxiety |
Swollen lymph node, rash, dermatits and surprise another lymph node today What the fuck is going on with my body?
In October 2018, my perioral dermatitis flared up again after accidentally eating gluten. It was around the time of the holidays and i was stressed due to major family issues. December comes and I start to notice and itch on the back of my neck. I also notice after I eat a heavy meal, I have this mild pain on the left side under my rib cage. Spleen? January - the rash is a deep red, unbearable itchy, oozing and now paired with a swollen lymph node.
I change up my diet to vegan because I figured it was keto catching up to me. That helped and the rash slooowwwwllly got better but still lingers. Fast forward to this week - the itch is mostly gone but the lymph node is still there albeit smaller. Yesterday, I finally got my hair done because I couldn't previously with it so itchy. I noticed a deep pimple on the opposing side of my scalp. This morning, I now have a swollen lymph node where the pimple is. I also am hardly eating,not very hungry and have managed to lose around 10lbs in a month but this could be due to vegan, mostly raw diet.
Of course, I researched online and the worse is coming up - lymphoma. I am absolutely panicked. I've been to a naturopath who put me on a multivitamin, hormone rebalancing herbs, probiotics and a liver cleanse. Help! | Anxiety |
my mum died of adult death syndrome and I’m scared it’ll happen to me too I’m 15 years old and I’ve been worrying about this pretty much every day since my mum died, I’ve had a lot of problems with high blood pressure the past 2 years and thats made me really depressed and just worried all the time, but that got better about 3 months ago, but the past 2 days I’ve had a really bad pain in my left arm and I was convinced it was a heart attack when it first come on, but I went to my doctor today and she told me it’s just a trapped nerve in my shoulder so that made me feel a little better, but to be honest this is making me feel the same way I did when I was in and out of hospital with high blood pressure, I know a trapped nerve isn’t really something to worry about but I think it’s just been kind of a shock to me so I thought I’d come here looking for some reassurance, all in all I’m terrified what happened to my mum will happen to me and the idea of death just terrifies me all together, it’s causing me to have severe anxiety and today was the first time I’ve been outside in months, I just want to start doing the things I enjoy again and stop worrying and thinking I’m going to die everyday.
| Anxiety |
I'm having anxiety during the daytime It seems to get worse. I live in a rural town overseas from my home country of Australia. Just some background info.
I have thoughts because there are little places to go, that I'm wasting my time and I'm usually in my room all day, thinking, watching tv or sleeping.
I have thoughts that I'm not being productive and that there arent many things I could do to be productive. This is what concerns me most.
I'm doing a degree and that's the only productive thing I'm doing. I feel trapped in a boring lifestyle and i'm also living with my parents.. I've contemplated moving back to Australia, but then I would have to go on a job hunt .. it's still an option. | Anxiety |
Isn't it weird when you suddenly enter the stage where you can't communicate with other people.. feeling lazy + anxious, it's one thing ² | Anxiety |
Had a Panic Attack Last Night. Strange Sensation in Head. Anyone Ever Experienced Something Like it Before? Sorry for making another post so quickly after my last one. But I'm in a bad spot right now and I just need to talk about what I'm going through.
:Last night, I had a weird sensation in the left side of my head, above the ear. It felt like something was throbbing or pulsating inside my head. It was never painful and it would go away for a few minutes before coming back. I felt it until I went to sleep (where I thought something was going to happen to me in the middle of the night or I would die in my sleep.)
It doesn't help that right now, my current paranoia is a brain tumor or a unruptured aneurysm. Earlier this week I had a headache above my left eye around my eyebrow but that went away after a few hours. I've been incredibly anxious about that side of my head.
I woke up this morning and haven't felt it again, though I've been a nervous wreck all day fearing it would return. It hasn't so far, but I think I'm having hypersensitivity in that region cause it feels a bit fuzzy right now.
Has anyone else felt something similar to this?
Thanks in advance for reading and/or commenting. | Anxiety |
Oh God, why is it so hard to get to know new people now, scared, worried, worried... Tremors again. I'm so afraid of myself | Anxiety |
Persistent back pain out of the blue... For the past week or so I’ve been having pain in the middle of my back, like a dull ache nothing sharp. I’m 20 years old and I don’t exercise or do any strenous activity so I’m not sure how I could have pulled anything, I’ve been up all night falling into a rabbit hole of googling and of course spinal tumors and cancer just had to come up as possibilities...I guess my question is should I see a doctor?? My right arm has also been feeling slightly weak lately as well, not painful but kind of achey I guess, so yet another google search brought me to a herniated disc...I’m having anxiety only bc it just came on randomly and I’ve been resting and waiting for it to go away and it isn’t 😖 I know I should probably see a doctor but is this urgent in any way?? | Anxiety |
So annoyed with myself...health anxiety resurgence Hey guys
So annoyed with myself, even though I guess it isn’t really my fault, I used to have pretty bad health anxiety a few years ago. It started to subside somewhat after I got a scan done after I felt a lump, it was just a cyst. Right around that time I was also immigrating from the UK to the US so my life got super busy and the health anxiety virtually went away. I’ve been in the US for almost two years now and haven’t really had any ‘big’ health worries since I got the scan done in England years ago...until this week. My wife passed onto me, I guess some sort of virus, and I had flu like symptoms - of course, a lymph node on my neck has swollen - as is pretty topical with stuff like that - and I’m now convinced I have lymphoma. 0 to 60 in about a week, unbelievable. This time feels different though, when this sort of stuff happened in the past my rational thought was completely obscured to the point where any logical or rational thought would immediately be dismissed in favor of the worst case scenario, but this time I’m well aware how irrational I’m being, and I’m well aware that it’s most likely just due to this infection. But I’m still worrying. I made the mistake of Googling it, and although Google does say that with cancerous lumps in the neck they’re typically immovable, mine is movable, I’m still panicking! | Anxiety |
DAE have an element of narcissism with their anxiety/OCD, IE "My anxiety is the worst, and no one else's anxiety is like mine or can relate to me"? I have been a sufferer of GAD and pure O OCD for years (possibly my whole life). One interesting aspect of my own anxiety is that I have developed a sort "pride" in my anxiety, in the fact that I think it's so bad that no one else could possibly even relate , or even be close to mine.
I have identified and hypothesized that this is really a form or manifestation of narcissism, and possibly a coping mechanism.
Throughout my journey of anxiety, my brain has tried to deal with the helplessness of anxiety by trying to twist my crippling anxiety into a form of grandiosity (delusional), which I am hypothesizing is the narcissism aspect. | Anxiety |
hey please can I ask for positive or enthusiastic words? Lately I've been so anxious that it makes me think about it for a long timeðŸ˜" I want to sleep so I don't think about it, I'll open it later so I can forget it even more🥺 | Anxiety |
If you are afraid or feeling anxious, what do you do? | Anxiety |
How to chill my brain out I’ve been experiencing heath anxiety for about a month now (i have GAD but an incident about a month ago incited my anxiety to revolve around my health.) i want to get CBT but i don’t think i can rn until school finishes in about a month.
My anxiety centers mainly around strokes/anyurisms/heart issues.
I’ve been trying to take a minute to breathe calmly and deeply to bring my heart rate down when i’m getting anxious, but are there any other short tips anyone has when they need to calm down quick when your anxiety flares up? | Anxiety |
So anxious I literally just ran out of the dentists office Basically title.
A couple months ago I had a consultation to get a few teeth "deep cleaned" and two small cavities. No big deal for normal people, but I really dislike needles and put off going back.
Today I go back and they insist on doing the deep cleaning of the whole mouth for $500, while saying it doesn't look bad on X-rays so the insurance company probably won't cover it. When I said I can't afford that, the hygienist basically scolded me and went to get the dentist.
I started feeling like I was having a panic attack and removed the bib from my neck, put on my coat and bolted to my car. I still feel shaky now. Idk what's wrong with me.
Don't know if I was being scammed or I just made myself look really foolish. | Anxiety |
Sending love to the sub Someone I love dearly is going through a particularly brutal bout of HA right now and it’s so hard for me to sit back and watch him suffer while being powerless to help him. He can’t even come on this sub because there are too many triggers for him. Keep fighting the good fight my friends. You may feel alone out there at times, but know that there are people who care about you. Don’t give up! | Anxiety |
HA Hopelessness I have had health related anxiety issues for the past 5 months, and just when they seem to be getting better and I have a solid week, it all comes crashing down again.
At the beginning I was convinced that I was going to have a heart attack, then it was a pulmonary embolism, and now I think I have some kind of emphysema or lung cancer (I used to smoke and it haunts me). I can't make it stop, and it seems like once I handle one issue and a doctor clears me, my brain just latches onto another new thing and starts a new cycle of tracking symptoms, googling and doctors appointments. Like jesus fucking christ, enough already! It makes me feel so hopeless and sad, I don't want to go through this every day. It's like my own personal hell loop, because I feel like I can't trust my own brain to make rational decisions about anything.
How do you all cope with the hopelessness and feeling of being trapped in your own head all the time? At this point the general anxiety about having HA is almost as bad as the HA itself. | Anxiety |
Im so tired It's the lymph node again. It's in the armpit again. it's connected to the skin and I know what that means. Maybe I don't but I suspect
It's been such a relief when it dissapeared after the first time but now it's back again and so everything. I didn't sleep in two days and this is the third. Just why me
Maybe I should start Xanax or something? Anyone? It's just getting worse and I ran out of ideas | Anxiety |
Dizziness, pressure in head, headaches, strange seizure-like episodes - brain tumor or sinus infection? Hey all. I'm making a doctor's appointment first thing in the moring but I'd like some advice on what I am experiencing in the meantime.
For a couple months I have been getting these strange episodes that I can only describe as pseudo-seizures. One of the most notable symptoms is that I suddenly have this overwhelming sensation of physical buildup, like you get right before a good sneeze or before you start crying. However, that release doesn't come, so I get urges to make noise like moaning or screaming to force the feeling out. Another big symptom is a sudden inability or difficulty in swallowing. It's like I've forgotten how to move my tongue properly or like my mouth is too dry, and I can only partially swallow. I have to push food to the back of my throat so that it's already partially down and then struggle to get it the rest of the way. I stop eating when this happens because I don't want to risk choking. Other symptoms are a tightness in the back of my head, confusion, and sometimes waves of tingles or energy washing over my scalp. The waves are very brief, but will repeat over and over for up to 20 minutes. When they stop, the rest of the symptoms go away too. I havent gotten too many of these the past couple weeks but they were nearly constant a month ago.
For the past couple weeks I have been having sporadic dizzy spells that feel like my body is floating or like my brain is swimming around in my head. Sometimes I get queasy during these spells. I noticed that they seemed to come or be worsened when looking at screens like my phone or computer, so I eventually figured it must be cybersickness. I am using my devices less and more carefully, and the dizzy spells got better for a few days.
However, now I am having very uncomfortable pressure in my head that seems to move around. It is mainly in my temples and the back of my head, but sometimes I can feel it in my nose too. It ranges from being annoying to feeling like my head has been put in a gentle hydraulic press. I feel dizzy when the pressure worsens.
Every so often, my right hand will feel slightly numb, and it feels like I've lost some fine motor control in it. However it's hard to tell if that is real or is just anxiety. It could also be carpal tunnel because I am an artist and it's in the hand I use to do most everything. It usually goes away in a few minutes to an hour.
I have been dealing with issues with my eyeglass prescription for the past few months. My old prescription had run its course and had started giving me trouble so I went and got a new one a few weeks ago, but it's too strong so I'm getting them bumped down a bit now.
Here are my "crazy" concerns - brain tumor, adult-onset hydrocephalus, brain cancer (cancer is of least concern because I recently had bloodwork and it came back perfect, so I shouldn't have that)
My more realisic theories are - sinus issues like infection or irritation, anxiety, eye strain from not wearing my glasses and having an outdated/overpowered prescription.
I was getting my prescription rewritten today and my eye doctor looked at my eyes to see if he could find any sign of a tumor, and he said everything looked good to him but I'm still worried.
What are all your thoughts? Do you think those strange episodes are really seizures? Should I be worried I have a tumor? | Anxiety |
Thumb twitching? Not sure if this is anxiety but it’s been doing this for a while
https://streamable.com/q34ads | Anxiety |
Trying to find a therapist! So, researching online has gotten me so confused. I have health anxiety from my grandmothers passing, and now every little ache or weird feeling is obviously me dying. So i need to find a therapist to help me through so I am not racking up ER bills. I see "Marriage and Family Therapist" and "Counselors" and "Therapy Interns" but I dont know which is right for my issues. Honestly its just the health anxiety Im looking to resolve, other than that i have a pretty good support system. Any help or tips on my search? | Anxiety |
Coping mechanisms for trigger scenario I've had nightmare neighbors which my housing have ignored for years the ball is finally rolling but I'm freaking out as they are having the housing officer in question and community officer who doesn't speak up about things they said that were incorrect previously to come for this talk, where were going to discuss their failings.
Injustice and lying really trigger my anxiety and emotion regulation so I'm wondering what I could do in this meeting to relax? Right now all I can think of is music in one ear and camomile tea | Anxiety |
finished for the heart's intention to watch the series, I even thought about it. I'm worried | Anxiety |
I don't know what to do. I don't know how to do it. I don't know where I am. I don't know where I'm going. By tomorrow night, I (21 y/o UK university student) have to email my dissertation supervisor a draft of what I have written so far; the deadline is in May and he wants to give me some feedback before the upcoming Easter break. But the problem is that I haven't written anything. At all. I've collated dozens of pages of general notes, vague ideas and research over the last few months, but I don't have a clue what to do with it, or where to start.
I've written probably hundreds of assessments and essays in my life, and until a few weeks ago, I had not failed a single one of them. But a few weeks ago, my motivation, self-belief and general ability to work (which were all low to begin with anyway) just stopped altogether. I had deadlines for two course module assessments within a week of each other, and I missed both of them. For one of the first times in my education, I had not only failed with work, but I had failed to even complete the work. I missed the first one because I had zero interest in, knowledge of or care for the subject, because I kept procrastinating, and because it's possible that I have ADHD (I don't want to know about this, but I think I have it). I missed the second one because of the same reasons, and because I failed the first one, so it didn’t make a difference if I missed the second one.
Since I got the email last week from my supervisor that I have to send him whatever I've been working on by tomorrow (Tuesday), I've not only not been working on the dissertation, but I've detached myself from it almost completely. I don’t like thinking about it. I keep distracting myself from it (literally and mentally) because I don't want to do it. The subject itself interests me (it was my choice after all) and i’ve done a lot of research (too much I think) and every time I ever doubt my work ability like this (which is every time i’ve ever done an assessment in my three years at university) it usually turns out alright, but I can't see how this one — of course, the most important one — will end in anything other than failure. So I’ve come all this way — from the start of uni three years ago, from the start of reception 17 years ago — and I've always, at the very least, managed to succeed. But now of all times is when it stops.
I’m aware that every student who has ever tried to write a university thesis has had these doubts at some time, or a lot of the time. But that makes me feel all the more incapable. Because those students have all, and will all, get through it, and I know that I won't. I look around the university library that I'm currently writing this in, and all I see is people working; they’re focused, self-disciplined, and content to be here. But I’m not one of them. I know that I don’t belong here, and I don’t like it here. I really don't like coming here. But I come here nevertheless. I'm sitting here wasting more time on something that I don't have to do, that I shouldn't be doing, but I'm doing nevertheless. Because I think a part of me actually wants to fail. I don't know why anyone would want that, especially me; I've always feared failure — the confirmation of it by my university and parents; the consequences of it practically and emotionally — and that's what’s driven me to always succeed with my work in education. I've only ever done that work because I fear the consequences of not doing it. I do it because I have to, never because I wanted to. I've always been like this.
So why am I here then? If you never enjoyed school or college (which i didn't) then why did you actively decide to go to university? Hmm. Maybe because I thought I had to (not because I wanted to pursue a career — I have absolutely no ambition at all). And it was partly because the idea of getting a job after I left college at 18 seemed completely impossible (I've suffered from social anxiety for most of my life; the basics of social interaction are overwhelming to me). But mostly, it was because I didn't think any of it through. I didn't want to think it through at all. My parents thought I could maybe go to this university, so I just said okay. I didn't even look into the university at all, and I didn't consider any others. The reason that I do this is because I hate thinking about the future — short, medium and long term. Whenever people ask me about the future, whether it’s “where do you see yourself in five years”, “what do you want to do with your life" or even simply “do you have any plans for the weekend”, I’ve always given vague non-answers. I've been like this forever. Probably because I’ve been bombarded with these questions from career advisors since Year 1. But it's also because the future is too uncertain and complicated. It scares me to think about the future in any sort of way. So I don't. And now I'm paying the price. And the future gets closer every day. And I wish I could go back in time, maybe to live things differently, maybe to live them the same. I think about the past (my childhood especially) every day. And every single night I dream about the past too. The other day I had one about the last day of Year 11. I’ve had hundreds like it, all about the last day of secondary school. The thing that haunts me about it is the fact that I don’t remember what happened. All I remember is that I never saw any of my peers again after that day. Because I made the conscious decision to leave them, and go to a different college. Every single dream I have involves my old school friends. Every one.
In case it isn't clear, my recent doubts over starting (let alone completing, or succeeding with) my dissertation are related to so many other things that I have consciously, often deliberately bottled up over the years (and it is years). I know how unhealthy and dangerous it is to do this, but I do it anyway because it's easier, and because it's been the default way of accepting, contemplating and processing my emotions for as long as I can remember. I've never had the desire to tell anyone (including family) about my most vulnerable thoughts and feelings, fears and insecurities, because…well…where to start? Fear of judgement, fear of being misunderstood, fear of being understood, fear of the literal and emotional consequences on myself and on my relationships; the fact that emotions were and are are never discussed in my family, or in the few social circles I used to have (note: haven't had friends for five years). I bottle all of this up. And I'll continue to. But it feels like the bottle is starting to overflow.
If anyone has read this far, you might as well consider yourself the first person who has ever heard anything that is even remotely as private as what I've just revealed in these last few paragraphs. And if you've read this far — and if you are a healthy, ‘normal’ person — you will have obviously thought to yourself, “Yeah, he needs therapy”. But I don't think I do, and I certainly don't want to. There’s a small part of me that desires to let it all out (I could write a book about all of my problems), but I know that would be a terrifying and draining experience, even if it leads to something better. And the desire certainly isn't big enough for me to have serious thoughts about seeking help…from anyone in fact. I think that’s the bottom-line: regardless of whether I need help, or guidance, or advice, or support, or sympathy, I don't think I want it. Not enough, anyway. I think I’d hate myself for seeking it out because I'd feel like a desperately sad narcissist. I know I'm pathetic, dumb, probably annoying, an embarrassment, a failure, a waste of space, time, money and effort, but I don’t think I'm a narcissist. And I know that people who seek help aren't narcissistic, but I would think that I am if I did. So I don't. And I've never sought help from anyone. Not only the serious, personal stuff, but the little, trivial, specific things too. Is it because of a deep-rooted social anxiety, and my complete lack of social confidence, ability and experience? Yes. But like with my other anxieties that I probably ‘need’ help with — health anxiety, fear of the future, fear of the passage of time, the fear of failure, the fear of work, the fear of my dissertation — I don't care about help, or support, or self-improvement. I don’t want any of it because I think it won’t work for me, or that it doesn't apply to me. I don’t want to be helped. And yet here I am writing this. | Anxiety |
Dry heaving I’ve been dealing with a really complex personal issue involving heartbreak/ loss of a person I deeply care about; certainly the worst pain I’ve experienced in my life thus far. As it stands, I already carry a level of anxiety with me, but with this added on to it, my body has been putting me through hell. I find myself dry heaving hard in the mornings especially, and then at times throughout the day. This has led to some really painful vomiting on several occasions. Its also occurred at my workplace, the gym, and several other public places without warning. I know there’s absolutely a psychosomatic part of all of this, but after almost three weeks, it’s becoming really problematic for me.
Has anyone experienced something similar? Is this just something I have to power through? Are there any tricks to at least minimize it? | Anxiety |
Very anxious and uncomfortable after professor made us watch their personal porn video for lecture EDIT: Thanks for all the advice everyone! This situation is extremely nuanced and very complex, and I'm unable to fully convey how something like this can even happen / make it make sense without giving up specific details about my school / prof / situation (because yes, I'm aware this situation sounds absolutely ridiculous). The comments have been really helpful in next steps, and how to help with the anxiety. Appreciate it :)
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Health Anxiety, what has worked for me - Hopefully it helps you I have health anxiety and it's taken me about 3 years to. It feels good to know that I am not crazy or feel like I am dying from cancer or having a stroke or whatever else it can be. The symptoms are all over the place one month it will be numb limbs, the next month my face feels tingly, the next month I have shortness of breath, then the next month is muscle cramps, the next is heart palpitations. Each time I I've been to the doctor so many times its kind of silly. Here are some ways I cope with it. I have days where it's gone, mild days, and days where it's an episode. I am glad I found this group because it makes me feel like I am not alone. It's hard to talk with people about your health anxiety because most people don't understand. I think it's fine for people to not understand we all
1. I see a CBT therapist
2. I channel my thoughts into something creative (painting, woodworking, reading, writing, drawing etc.)
3. I keep a journal about the symptoms/day to day occurrences
4. I listen to classical/calming music before bed
5. I allow myself to worry for an hour a day
6. In the morning for about 10 minutes, I tell myself I am healthy, people love me, and today will be great, you will be ok.
7. I laugh/talk about it with my friends (not for everyone but it helps me to know that some people have health anxiety at a mild level)
8. I note all of the things that happened that have made me feel better and then I repeat them, in addition I also write down all of the things that made me feel bad and try to articulate why that make me feel bad.
9. Little to no Caffeine, I love coffee but limit myself to drinking coffee on good days. As coffee can sometimes really amplify my symptoms.
10. Little to no alcohol, I limit my alcohol intake to social events and never drink on weekdays. I noticed that alcohol while it suppresses my symptoms it makes me into a monster emotionally, so I only drink when I am having a good day and not worried about anything.
11. Find a hobby. I like to sail, a hobby that requires concentration around the boat and everyone on the boat it helps me be mindful of my surroundings. It's something that has me forget about the symptoms because there is no time. This one took me about a year but I am glad I invested my time into it.
This list is a work in progress, my recovery has been slow and each month I set a small goal for myself. In the midst of the anxiety it's important to realize that recovery and healing take time it will never happen overnight and I think understanding this and setting very small goals has really helped me. My list above is months of testing out different methods to see what worked for me. Just remind yourself it takes time, you are not alone. | Anxiety |
My health anxiety is spiralling I just got back from an eye check up for a new set of contact lenses and the optometrist told me my eyes are healthy and I just have a few eye freckles (they’re on the whites of my eyes and are light grey). After the appointment, KNOWING he said my eyes were fine, I went into a rabbit hole and googled eye freckles and found out that in rare circumstances they can turn cancerous.
I felt sick to my stomach and want to go back to an optometrist to get them removed but I know I’m sending myself into a spiral. It’s been about two hours now and I’m starting to calm down about it all, trying to tell myself that if anything was wrong I would be told. But I hate this. My brain has to focus on the worst outcome possible.
Planning to speak to somebody about my healthy anxiety because I feel like it’s getting worse as time goes on. But it sucks. | Anxiety |
Was doing so well until right now I started a new medication a month or so ago, and it seems to have quashed the intensity of my health anxiety. I was overjoyed about this! Finally, I had hope of living a life that wasn’t steered by hypochondria! But I’m currently having a setback.
Long story short, I’ve been under a lot of stress lately. My girlfriend who I was really in love with broke up with me last week. That seems to be the major issue right now. But I’m getting some troubling symptoms.
All day, I’ve had this weird pain in my chest. I attributed this to emotional pain and didn’t think too much of it. Now, I’m also feeling it in my back and the pain is more to the left side of my chest. I am having some left arm pain as well, and it almost feels like some weakness too, but I can’t tell if this is my mind playing tricks on me. My heart is pounding, and I’m feeling a little lightheaded. I just feel off.
So, the 2 things I’m worried about are a heart attack, or something called Broken Heart Syndrome, which is a very real condition and has been proven to exist.
I’m not asking for a diagnosis of course, but has anyone else experienced something like this? | Anxiety |
Don't check today's trending subreddits I did and my own morbid curiosity wound up setting off my health anxiety. Save yourself the trouble and steer clear. | Anxiety |
Should I be worried about a possible auditory hallucination? Hi guys,
Today I was on a empty street waiting for my Uber when I heard a baby cry for about a few seconds, twice. I did not hear this sound again, and it sounded like it came from one of my houses, as some of the houses had their lights on. I did not see the baby though, and I have not heard this sound again.
I am worried this might be the onset of Schizophrenia, yet my psychiatrist said I do not have any of the positive/negative symptoms. Does Schizophrenia develop that rapidly or suddenly, or is it more gradual. I did not hear anything throughout the day, so naturally, this has me worried. Should I be too worried or was it likely a baby from one of the houses crying? | Anxiety |
Worried about cancer Please help! My anxiety is out of control. I have a family history of colon cancer, and all the symptoms. I am seeing the gi doctor tomorrow. I've been in a panic for weeks and can't calm down. I keep imagining absolute worst-case scenarios. I'm so miserable and upset. | Anxiety |
Terrified of catching the flu after ENT visit. I've been a huge germaphobe for as long as I can remember. In the spring and summer it usually doesn't cause me to much distress, but once cold and flu season pick up, it starts to have a greater impact on my mental health and my ability to function.
Earlier today, I had my bi-yearly appointment with my ENT to get my ears cleaned out (I produce a ton of wax). I was super anxious going into the appointment as there is a very bad cold going around my area right now, and the flu is widespread. I took hand sanitizer with me and was prepared to grab a mask if the waiting room was busy.
Thankfully, there wasnt a single patient in the waiting room. I was called back quickly, the nurse took some info, I sanitized my hands, and then my ENT entered the room. He shook my hand, and then sanitized his, and got to work cleaning me out.
Once he finished I asked a quick question about how to avoid facial and ear pain on a long flight, and he suggested the vasalva maneuver. He demonstrated it for me, and then asked me to try it. Ordinarily, I dont touch my face under any circumstances, but since I had just sanitized my hands and since I was just pinching the outside of my nose (I was careful not to get too close to my nostrils), I figured it would be okay. So I pinched my nose very briefly and went on my way.
On the drive home I started to think about it a bit more, and realized that after I sanitized my hands, I shook his hand, so my hands probably were not very clean when I pinched my nose shut. And I started to get really worried that in doing so, I probably exposed myself to tons of cold/flu germs that will infect me in the coming days.
Now I'm anxious as can be, trying to find some rational reason why I shouldn't be worried here, so I can calm down a bit. I havent had any luck yet. Can anybody help me out here?
Also, just for the record, I'm seeing a therapist twice a week to help with these things. We just started back in October, but unfortunately he's been out of town all of December for the holidays. I've backtracked a good bit in his absence. I'm also more anxious than usual about getting sick because I have a vacation coming up next week and I really dont want to have a cold/flu while traveling.
| Anxiety |
Are swollen lymph nodes always something to worry about? I sort of feel one on my right side, in my neck. But no symptoms of anything | Anxiety |
Head injury worries? I constantly worry about head injuries, because I constantly worry if a hit to my head was significant to cause a concussion.
For example, I was laying in bed on my (not very heavy) laptop, and I accidentally pushed it into my chin. It wasn't a super hard hit, it didn't hurt, but I immediately started worrying that I could have a concussion. My head was against a pillow too, but the reading I did claimed that it's worse if your head doesn't move.
I mean, I don't notice myself feeling especially nauseaous or dizzy, but I can't stop worrying. It seems like most concussion stories involve something more significant than that. Are small hits like that something to worry about? Does anyone have any expertise as when to start worrying about a concussion? | Anxiety |
Elevated liver enzymes and elevated protein in blood. I’m trippin I had a comprehensive metabolic panel done to see how my potassium level was doing because of two medications I am on (yaz and spironolactone). My potassium level was fine my they found elevated liver enzymes and elevated proteins in my blood.
I’m freaking out - I know I shouldn’t web md it but I can’t help myself and I’ve been googling it for hours now.
I’m a 28F, exercise daily, eat well, 135lbs, I vape, rarely drink alcohol. I have a history of drug abuse though, iv user for 2 years but I’ve been clean for the last 7 and have been tested for hiv/hep c when I first got sober and it was negative.
I spoke w a pharmacist who said it is rare that my medications could cause this. I’m wondering if it is my past drug use that is causing this? Or an autoimmune disease, which runs in the family? Or what? And slightly more benign causes? | Anxiety |
Health anxiety i've noticed that over the last year i've become super anxious when it comes mine and my loved ones health, i think it's because my husband had bells palsy early last year.
Since then anything will trigger me!! literally anything. I was picking at a mole (didnt realize) and it started bleeding and got itchy and now I have this anxious feeling in my stomach even tho i know IM the one who picked at it.
I feel like even though my brain is like yes u picked at, u probably dont have anything to worry about - that anxious feeling in my stomach is still there.
Other times if i have a headache it goes to the worst outcome. I make doc appts every so often but I also don't want to be that person who shows up so frequently for nothing and waste my docs time.
Im really starting to feel hopeless and like Im going to live with this anxious feeling forever.
I guess.. any advice? | Anxiety |
Trying some anxiety research Hey everyone! I'm doing a project trying to really understand more of the perspective of people with anxiety. I am posting this on multiple subreddits to try and get the most amount of results. I would really appreciate it if you guys wouldn't mind helping me with my project, if this isn't within the rules, I'll one hundred percent take it down, but it would mean a lot to me to be able to get a more varied response to understand all kind of anxiety.
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[https://forms.gle/j8WQ8Y1NV2PC6xvv8](https://forms.gle/j8WQ8Y1NV2PC6xvv8) | Anxiety |
Can't think of a suitable name for this post
I have been blessed with the ability to freak myself right the F\*$& out whenever i think about a host of different topics... anxiety. Now most of these topics ive been able to find categories for, and address in that way, by learning about those things, bettering my understanding of them, and really evaluating exactly what it is that im afraid of. For example, i am a hypochondriac, i have lived with health anxiety for as long as i can remember, but its very easy to find out what health anxiety is, you can easily find other peoples experiences, common coping mechanisms, potential causes for this anxiety, etc. This is the case with almost anything i find myself consistently anxious about.
Now,
One of the darkest corners in my mind that i try to stay out of as much as possible, is one that i cant get a lot of information on, and because of this, i don't know how to move forward in addressing this.
This anxiety / fear is triggered by thoughts of existence, reality, the thought of consciousness... trying to wrap my mind around what it is that I'm experiencing just by being alive in the first place. A good example thought of this would be this:
Whether you are reading this on a computer or phone or tablet... stop and take a second to think about what is between your eyes reading this, and the screen Infront of you, now i don't mean the air, pollen, dust, particles etc. that occupies that space, but the f#$%ing space itself. How? why is that there? what is that occupying? how did it get there?
I experience symptoms of derealization / depersonalization disorder that I've observed are closely related to my thoughts like this, Hell I believed when I was 17 until 20 I was falling into psychosis due to my relentless obsessing over the unanswerable. Its not even one specific mind-F#$\* that does this to me, it's the combination of all of them that represent what we call "reality" or "existence" that i cant tune out, and the more i try to research these things in my life, the more questions that are left unanswered. i can barely hold conversations with people because of how often i just go blank, returning to being consumed with mulling these things over, IN THE MIDDLE OF CONVERSATIONS.
I feel like most people are able to just curb these thoughts as "unimportant" or just set them aside because there's no way to answer things like that at the moment. Boy do i wish i could do just that. Thoughts like this are 25/8 on my mind, I mean I DREAM about inexplicable things that could never be answered, and i wake up, open my eyes and wonder what is this plane of existence that I'm experiencing? how do i retain my persona, my memories, my trains of thought, all of my experiences after so many years? How do i face any interaction, any experience, any leaf that lands Infront of me on a walk without my mind jumping to the probability of these things happening? And then wondering how I'm even able to question that in the first place?
This has not been a mid-life crisis, rather it has been a whole-life drain. I have never been afraid of the 18 wheeler next to me on the freeway, yet i have always been afraid of the inevitable heat death of the universe. Why am I like this? | Anxiety |
Am i having a seizure? I have been having extreme HA for the past month but in the last week i have been having really weird symptoms. I have been waking up after 1 or 2 hours of sleep at night shaking and swaeting intensely while also being very confused and having feelings i cant explain. This lasts for about an houer then i calm down and go back to sleep. I have this happen to me 3 times now and im really scared that this is some sort of seizure and that i have a brain tumor. Im freaking out so much and i really dont know what to do. | Anxiety |
Morning Anxiety I'm so so tired of morning Anxiety. Every morning I wake up wanting to puke from being anxious. Does anyone have any experience of how to not wake up feeling like you're about to get into a fight?
Any advice would be most welcome 🙏 | Anxiety |
Rapid Heart Rate 24M, 6’ , 215 pounds
I have what I believe to be anxiety disorder. I almost always have some sort of anxiety. Sometimes I feel a little cloudy and maybe even a bit u stable on my feet. The worst is when I’ll be working; doing something minimally exhausting but my heart rate will raise to over 120 and then the panic ensues. The rapid rate can last hours. Maybe I am a hypochondriac and the more I think and check my pulse the worse it gets. Does anyone else have this happen? I have asked my doctor for a referral to a cardiologist just to be sure. I’m currently on no medication. | Anxiety |
Lumps and bumps I just need somewhere to let this out. I have a skin disorder called hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). It’s pretty mild for HS, and the last few years it’s gotten much better.
I have also noticed a couple of cysts. On the back of my head, my ankle, and on the batwing area of my arm.
Doctors have looked at the cysts and told me they’re nothing to worry about, but I can’t stop worrying that it’s something else or that having these cysts means I’m developing others in dangerous spots- my brain or lungs.
I stupidly looked up diseases that are cooccurring with hs- thinking it would make me feel better if I saw that people with HS are just more likely to develop some benign cysts- and it mentioned thyroid disorder (which I have) and lymphoma and heart disease (which I am constantly terrified about).
Talk me down. Anyone else have stuff like this? | Anxiety |
College Student w/ Anxiety: Dating Life I first developed severe anxiety and panic disorder in my senior year of high school. I can proudly say that with perseverance, proper medication, and the help of my lovely therapist, family, and friends, I was able to complete my senior year and begin college in the fall. I’ve taken a liking to this guy in my class, and we will hang out this weekend. I am very inexperienced in the dating world as I’ve only really gone out with three guys ever… none of which lasted more than a few months. Though I had not been diagnosed with anxiety in my sophomore year of high school, I began dating this guy whom I was pretty infatuated with. However, the first time he put his arm around me, I shook uncontrollably. I misread that as a sign that he wasn’t suitable for me when it was just anxiety. Fast forward to now, I am anxious about seeing this guy this weekend, and I am scared that these feelings of fear won’t go away even if we continue to see each other. Has anyone else been through this? What should I do? I don’t want to be limited from dating but l my body is giving me unclear signals of what to do. | Anxiety |
My Health Anxiety Symptoms Hi Everyone!
As someone who has been struggling with health anxiety for the last 4 years, I have found the acknowledgment of potential anxiety symptoms to be the most reassuring form of support. This is not only reassuring to me as it reminds me of all of the different ways anxiety might affect your body, it also reminds me (and hopefully others) that many of these symptoms quickly pass, as they are only manifested *only* as a result of mental illness.
Here's all of the symptoms that have come and gone as a result of my health anxiety. I hope that people may relate, and be reassured. I've bolded those symptoms which have remained more constant throughout the last 4 years.
1. tingling extremities
2. **cold hands and feet**
3. muscle spasms (mostly in leg, thought it was a blood clot, it was not)
4. **tightness of muscles** particularly around neck and shoulders
5. dry mouth
6. **bruxism**
7. chest pain, stabbing
8. **chest pain, dull/achey**
9. constipation/diarrhea (thought this was hypothyroidism, it wasn't)
10. hair loss (thought this was PCOS, it wasn't)
11. Paralysis like symptoms (this came in two ways. One: overthinking things that should be unconscious-- me, thinking about swallowing, resulted in my temporary inability to swallow liquid. Two: mid panic attack, thought I could not move legs.
12. **pelvic, vaginal/vulva pain** (thought this was vulvar cancer, literally got a chunk cut out of my vulva to test. As soon as results came back negative, the pain stopped)
13. **headaches**
14. **HEADACHES**
15. **pressure in head, tightness**
16. insomnia
17. **lethargy**
18. difficulty concentrating
19. hearing phantom ringing (always hearing my alarm clock, even when it's not going off)
20. jitters
That is all! (I think). I hope this helped someone, please feel free to ask any questions. | Anxiety |
weird aching pain in left side of chest i can't tell if it's breast pain or not but there's this weird achy feeling in the left side of my chest it's not that painful but it is really annoying it was happening last night and now it's happening again should i be worried? | Anxiety |
Every night before this night, I always worry about what drama will happen tonight, my baby boy If there's no husband, this is really crazy | Anxiety |
I have health anxiety I have health anxiety and think too much and my chest races and stuff | Anxiety |
Therapy? Has anyone had any success with specific therapy or medication for health anxiety? this has ruined my life more than normal anxiety in my past. I feel as if i’m constantly waiting for something to come up and I’ll never be able to live a happy life. Just waiting for my time to be up, basically. | Anxiety |
Just a little bit of encouragement Had an itch on my back, a really deep painful itch like nothing I'd felt before, and it's been about a month. No marks or rash.
It's slowly going away!!!
I'm excited to have one of those random unexplainable things which normal people get and don't worry about!
HA sufferers - think about how many of your symptoms just magically went away. The human body is weird.
Xxx | Anxiety |
Brain tumor anxiety Hey everyone, I'm new to this subreddit. I feel like recently I've been suffering from health anxiety. It suddenly came up out of nowhere. First I was convinced something was wrong with my heart, I started having lots of different symptoms and was truly convinced something was wrong. Got it all checked, and it turned out fine. Afterwards I still felt kinda sick, so I got a blood test done which came back clear. This was about 3 weeks ago.
A bit later I started having these headaches, and my vision suddenly got worse (at least I got the impression). Now I don't know if this is purely because I started focusing on it, or that it actually is something bad. Anyway, I decided to go back to the doctor since I work in IT, and dealing with the vision thing and headaches was getting pretty hard.
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He checked me, asked lots of different things but he didn't seem quite sure about what it was. He sent me to an eye doctor, got my eyes checked there, and it turned out I need resting glasses for screen work ETC. (My eyes have been bad my entire life, had glasses since I was 3). I've also been having this visual snow, again I think I've had this for a long time, but it's like my mind suddenly seems to notice and freak out about it, same with things like my tinnitus which I've also had for years.
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I'm still just scared I may have a brain tumor, because of the bad vision and headaches. But, if I had a brain tumor, they would have seen it in the blood test from a few weeks back, right? Or no? The doctor or eye doctor would have rang the alarm bell if something was seriously wrong, right?
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Do you guys think I'm fine? It's just so horrible to deal with this, it truly affected my life lately.
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Does anyone else hold off reading their messages as long as possible? Do you guys do this too? I understand that its common courtesy to reply to others quickly and instantly, but it's like whenever I get a message, I get... Idk. Scared? Anxious? Nervous to read it? I always feel like skfkglglkgkv
I mean, god knows what the message could be like. And it's not like I don't reply to people at all. Though sometimes I do feel like I'd rather not look at my messages at all forever. Still, I end up mustering the courage to take a peek and reply, but sometimes I do that hours later. | Anxiety |
Ex-partier, now healthy but with major HA Wondering if anyone else has dealt with this!
I am now 27. When I was 18 I started a 6-year long party bender. Daily marijuana, pack of cigarettes a day, drinking 5-6 nights a week, MDMA every weekend. It was intense. I was on Zoloft at the time for my anxiety and depression due to a crappy upbringing and social anxiety.
Flash forward to now. Quit pills 4 years ago, quit weed 1.5 years ago, quit cigarettes a month ago and now only drink once or twice a week. HOWEVER. Since getting healthier and stopping substances, my body has freaked out and feels like complete garbage every day. I have constant heart palpitations, tingling and headaches. I've had ECGs, a brain CAT scan, MRI on my chest, lung x-ray, blood pressure monitor and numerous blood tests and literally they can't find anything wrong with me. I am sad because I feel worse now than I ever did during my party days, and according to doctors I am in great shape considering. Also go to the gym 3-4 days a week. But every day I wake up exhausted, with random pains, not able to focus, random sweating fits, weakness. Panic attacks at least once a week (in the ER 2+ times a month). Anyone else who used to be a crazy party animal have these issues after getting sober?? | Anxiety |
Cross post with AskDocs -- random swelling?? Hello,
I'm a 23-year-old female, non-smoker, otherwise healthy despite an insane amount of anxiety. I've had slightly swollen lymph nodes on my neck for a while, but doctors I've seen haven't been concerned because I weigh 116 pounds and have a really thin neck -- an ENT basically told me to dismiss it unless they actually get bigger. It's only one one side. During my appointment with the ENT though, I insisted she check my parotid glands because the left side of my face feels a bit swollen. She agreed, but said it could be caused by a ton of things. My cheek is a bit swollen on the inside, too. It's most notable right under my ear lobe, resting on my jaw. It feels like a lump that's noticeably bigger than the right side of my face.
She referred me for an MRI with contrast, and suggested I cancel a sonogram I had scheduled because an MRI would be better, anyway (I did.) I haven't had that yet, but I'm really freaked out and wondering if there's anything else I should be concerned with or if I should take her advice to just chill. I've had ulcers on that side of the mouth before (12 at a time, two years ago, apparently caused by stress), I wore clear retainers for two years that could have caused swelling and I had impacted wisdom teeth removed 8 months ago. They were more impacted on that side of my mouth. I'm not sure what to do, just wondering if I'm going crazy or if I'm right to be concerned. Also, I'm more short of breath lately (not like, short of breath in a way where I'm sweaty and my heart's beating fast. Short of breath like my throat feels tight.) But that could be caused by anxiety, too. Thanks for you help. | Anxiety |
Work, life, anxiety(f20) Today is actually the day all my worries are transformed in real situations, let's start
First of all, my grandma's sister birthday, I totally forgot about . Than said that I would come, but I forgot about gift and overslept, than was to anxious to go, and called said I'm sick, than I received a message from my coworker like hah where are you the event is starting, I totally forgot about this than I fucked up with my student, rescheduling our lesson like 3-5 times ( because I thought I would maybe go on a birthday)and finally telling that I'm sick to her as well because well at this moment I was already crying because how irresponsible and stupid this situation is, and also it would be so strange to do this lesson with her after not going to the event, and the event is still going, I probably should get there, but it's to overwhelming at this point, I also will not go to the birthday party for the same reason, to much stress for me already, I want to just disappear, I try so hard to remember everything and it just happenes.. It is so so stupid and I mean I'm completely useless anyway, like who the hell lives with memory troubles at 20 , it feels like some disorder at this point ( I forget a lot of things)
My mom is dating an alhogolic and last couple of weeks were a nightmare.
I didn't sleep normal for a long time because of this situation and last night was a disaster
A lot of other troubles financial, with studying
And at the end right now I feel like literally throwing up from the level of anxiety that I experience | Anxiety |
null | Anxiety |
The Outcasts, for everyone, and the outcasted. Where you'll always be accepted. Welcome to The Outcasts! A new Mental Health, Support Discord Server! Our motto is The Outcasts, for everyone, and the outcasted. Where you'll always be accepted.
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We are currently a small community, but we are always looking to expand! Currently we do movie nights, game night, and host public talk shows, and we take all suggestions into consideration! We offer Peer-to-Peer Support and advice and are always looking for new people to offer that support! We are also Dedicated to helping out others and supporting people through their times of need. We believe that everyone deserves a home and everyone deserves support and help. We believe that no moment is wasted, and every life matters.
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This place was founded with people who are considered Outcasts in mind, because this place is where you can be yourself without all the judgement and ridicule. A place where you can love what you want and be who you are and embrace it without other people out casting you. A place where people are kind and supportive of each other, no matter who that person is or what their background is, kind of like a family.
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Threats are not tolerated and privacy will not be leaked by others without serious punishment, the only time this is okay is if you consent to it. This means that you can post your private life if you would like to. As long as it follows the rules!
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We are a privately owned Mental Health discord server, and we are here to help as many people we can and support all.
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We are always open to partnerships from other people! We have many self assignable roles and things you can choose from to define yourself!
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So why not give the server a shot today? We're here to help you in all your rough times. Here is the Discord Link: [https://discord.gg/rkmFuUN](https://discord.gg/rkmFuUN) | Anxiety |
Employee Assistance Programs I have ADHD, anxiety, go through cycles of depression, a mild eating disorder, a family history of suicide attempts (I am not in any danger), and a high stakes job. Recently, I have been failing to meet expectations, having concentration and memory failures due to stress. I have been referred to the Employee Assistance Program for free counseling that will report to my employer. What exactly should I tell this person? I would love to hear and learn from the experiences of others before I say the wrong thing and get myself fired. It may already be too late. | Anxiety |
Have you ever been... you're honest but you're the one who's restless hh | Anxiety |
Health issue or health anxiety So before i start, let me make clear that i do have some health issue Well had, i was born with a unicuspid valve and had open heart surgery 2 years ago. Up to the surgery i was a mental wreck more than before. Now after the surgery ive been Well for the most part. I have had alot of fears after that actually got worse over the two years instead of better. Now to start This story up we gotta rewind a few months, its a few days after Christmas, im at granny inlaw having a good time, when My girlfriend notice My right ankle is a little swollen above the achilles tendon, we call the emergency eoc and he wants ud to Come in, he frels it and want it scanned with ultrasound. It was fine. Now i didnt Think much of it then, but im sure My ankle above the achilles always was swollen but i havent ever really looked much at My ancles.
Now here is where it gets difficult two days later we Are home, i wake up and notice i have a coin sized point bit left from My sternum with minor pain,and I get spells of dizziness.
At night i get admitted to the ER and they do ultra sound, ekg, bloodwork work etc. And everythings fine, except from slightly elevated troponin which could be scar tissue, though they think i have a minor infection in my heart and release me sayinf i should be fine sfter some time but i dont feel fine. Onde home i get This feeling of not being able to get enough air when I breath. A week later im back in the ER, they do the usual checks plus a ct and guess what, im fine except for the same slightly elevated troponin and they release me Again sayings its just a minor infektion.
3 weeks later i have an appointment with a specialised cardiologist that is educated for valve disease and has byen following me for over a decade. She checks me and im fine My heart is in a good condition. Now i didnt feel happy when told so, but extreme dissapointment, i started to get a feeling of fear of Them having made a mistake or missed something . The reason being is that before My surgery the hospital i was in the ER at, didnt see that My heart wasnt doing Well when I was in for chest pain(wasnt a heart attack, but My valve failing badly) the Same pain i have Now.
Now i startede going to a psych every third week and its good. But at this point im uncertain of what is wrong, ive been checked at the hospital 3times and at a specialized cardiologist, and they havent found much that could explain the pain.
So im trying to accept the fact it could be anxiety driven, but the moment i started trying it, i got issues with breathing Again. Its like something in me wants to keeper me in pain and afraid. I Hope some Will read this and give some input. | Anxiety |
Recommendations for supplements I want to find natural supplements that calm down anxiety, I tried Lion's Mane Mushroom but it gave me terrible vertigo and I had to stop it. I've had anxiety my entire life but I've never been to a psychiatrist and I don't like the amount of side effects that anxiety meds give. My anxiety is severe. I'd appreciate it if you can recommend any supplements that would make it at least a little better. I have hand tremors that make me throw things and my sleep quality is terrible. | Anxiety |
oh my god so nervous | Anxiety |
Health Anxiety? Random abdominal pain, scared of going to the doctor and potentially hearing worst case scenario I’ve had a LOT going on since Christmas. I lost my grandmother to cancer, I’ve been sick, had a panic attack, felt grief out of nowhere for the first time which included pains, random anxiety, and somewhat a fear of my own health.
I had diverticulitis at the end of October last year and it was the first time I realized “oh wow. I’m not invincible and there are more things than stomach aches”
With all of this going on, I’ve also now started to feel a small pain around my gallbladder. It mainly happens when I’m readjusting my position, sitting uncomfortably, etc. it feels almost swollen and like I’m squishing it (I’m a bigger guy). I’ve read things online for relief hoping it was just gas or it’d go away on its own. It’s definitely gotten better! When it’s not hurting I’d feel a pain in my lower right, or on my left side. All of these pains are a 0-3 max on the pain scale.
I can’t decide if I’m just looking for something wrong, or if I’m having health anxiety. I’m just so scared to go to the doctor because I don’t think I’ve ever gone and heard good news. It feels like it’s getting better over time, but I wonder if I’m over analyzing every pain or feeling I feel now.
I know I should go to the doctor, but I’m scared of going and hearing I have to have surgery, or if I’d hear (hopefully) “it’s just irritated from a bad diet and lack of exercise. Lay off fatty foods and take 2 of these a day and you’ll be all good” | Anxiety |
Son has weird bump on shoulder I'm waiting for new insurance to come through before I can take him to the doctor, I was hoping to be able to post a picture of it but I guess this sub won't let me. My 8yr old has what looks like a blood blister on his shoulder. It's a red bubble, not purple like a blood blister you get when smashing your finger or anything. It looks nothing like any picture I've looked up. Just a bright red bubble and it's been growing the past 3 weeks or so, it was very tiny before and he had picked at it thinking it was a scab, it bled and bled, but that was when it was the size of a large freckle maybe, now it's the size if a mole. Has anyone seen or experienced anything like this before? | Anxiety |
Love Yourself Good morning Reddit users! I wanted to pass some words or love and support.
We are all here because of our health anxiety whether we have it now, or we had it in the past and we’re just trying to support others.
I wanted to tell everyone...
Breathe.
Why is that so important? Because when we are all trapped inside our own thoughts and obsessed with our problems we feed into our pain, our stress, and our anxiety. That’s what our anxiety wants! Take a moment to step back and relax, let your body unravel since it’s so tense you won’t even notice it! Close your eyes, take deep breaths just to let your mind go back to normal. Because if you continue to worry and stress, your symptoms of whatever you’re feeling get worse! Then you begin to analyze “new” symptoms and you’ll start to worry about those. So just breathe please.
We as human beings sometimes forget to love ourselves and appreciate the small steps we take against our anxiety! Please give yourself a pat on the back, congratulate yourself for taking this small step! Don’t ever feel like you’re alone, we’re all here to help each other because we want the best for each other, we might feel like we’re in a hole. But we can get out of here I promise you all, we just need the support and the love because with that we can counter attack the mind. It’s powerful, but we can’t let it take advantage of us! We gotta control it and use it to our advantage!
I hope all you have a wonderful day, and week, and month, and year. Let this be our year! Let’s tackle this together!
I love you all. Let’s beat this together. ❤️ | Anxiety |
Lexapro 5mg + upcoming wedding I just started on lexapro 5mg 3 days ago. I have severe GAD and OCD, and it’s causing me extreme distress. I also have my wedding on April 30th. I’m afraid it will make me a zombie, as well as cause sexual performance issues, and I don’t want to be emotionless on my wedding day, or unable to have sex on my honeymoon.. so I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place.
From your experience, have any of you noticed a significant difference in emotion and or sexual performance while on 5mg? | Anxiety |
How many of you got a CT scan done on 15 plus years ago? Where was the scan done and did you develop any cancer/tumor? I am asking because there are many articles on the possible link with ct scanners and cancer. Should I worry about it? I have had two abdominal ct scans done and two head CTs. | Anxiety |
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