Severe hypochondriac & it's paralyzing me...

[Anonymous]

I am a severe hypochondriac, & I don't know what to do. I've been like this for years. Well, it's that time of year for my annual exam, & mammo, & I'm freaking out. I am always so fearful of something being wrong. I can't read about other people's illnesses because then I think I have it. I'm constantly checking my body for symptoms. I also have anxiety, & take Xanax as needed. I feel like this will never go away. I even do this w/my son, always worrying about him. Does anyone else have this? What can I do?

[Anonymous]

It is anxiety. Have you done therapy? Probably CBT would help given you have a specific anxiety focus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is anxiety. Have you done therapy? Probably CBT would help given you have a specific anxiety focus.

Yes, I've done therapy, not consistently, though. Sorry for my ignorance, what is CBT?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is anxiety. Have you done therapy? Probably CBT would help given you have a specific anxiety focus.

Yes, I've done therapy, not consistently, though. Sorry for my ignorance, what is CBT?

Cognitive behavioral therapy. It is very different from talk therapy. In CBT it is goal oriented and time limited. A series of sessions focused on the issue - anxiety about health. They work through all the various thoughts and feelings and actions and consequences related to your anxiety to help you in thinking differently and lowering the anxiety.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is anxiety. Have you done therapy? Probably CBT would help given you have a specific anxiety focus.

Yes, I've done therapy, not consistently, though. Sorry for my ignorance, what is CBT?

Cognitive behavioral therapy. It is very different from talk therapy. In CBT it is goal oriented and time limited. A series of sessions focused on the issue - anxiety about health. They work through all the various thoughts and feelings and actions and consequences related to your anxiety to help you in thinking differently and lowering the anxiety.

ok, thanks. I'll look into it.

[Anonymous]

Yes, CBT helped me IMMENSELY with my hypochondria. I used to do the constant checking and looking up symptoms, etc., too. CBT is tailor-made for this type of anxiety.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a severe hypochondriac, & I don't know what to do. I've been like this for years. Well, it's that time of year for my annual exam, & mammo, & I'm freaking out. I am always so fearful of something being wrong. I can't read about other people's illnesses because then I think I have it. I'm constantly checking my body for symptoms. I also have anxiety, & take Xanax as needed. I feel like this will never go away. I even do this w/my son, always worrying about him. Does anyone else have this? What can I do?

No help just to say you're my twin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a severe hypochondriac, & I don't know what to do. I've been like this for years. Well, it's that time of year for my annual exam, & mammo, & I'm freaking out. I am always so fearful of something being wrong. I can't read about other people's illnesses because then I think I have it. I'm constantly checking my body for symptoms. I also have anxiety, & take Xanax as needed. I feel like this will never go away. I even do this w/my son, always worrying about him. Does anyone else have this? What can I do?

No help just to say you're my twin.

OP here. Sucks, doesn't it. Seems like such a waste of energy & time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a severe hypochondriac, & I don't know what to do. I've been like this for years. Well, it's that time of year for my annual exam, & mammo, & I'm freaking out. I am always so fearful of something being wrong. I can't read about other people's illnesses because then I think I have it. I'm constantly checking my body for symptoms. I also have anxiety, & take Xanax as needed. I feel like this will never go away. I even do this w/my son, always worrying about him. Does anyone else have this? What can I do?

No help just to say you're my twin.

OP here. Sucks, doesn't it. Seems like such a waste of energy & time.

Twin here: yes. Yes, it does. It's so hard, and makes me depressed too actually...

[Anonymous]

I have been in the same boat over the past 20+ years. Finally, I had some success controllong it with CBT plus a tiny amount of Zoloft (12.5mg a day).

[Anonymous]

A PP again -- I also wanted to say that a very regular yoga practice has helped me too. It helps to become aware of your body in a positive way -- rather than focusing on the negative (what's that spot? My breathing seems off? Have I had this cold too long...maybe it's something serious!), a yoga practice will help you focus on your breath and movement so that you feel in tune with your body rather than feeling like it's alien and you have no control over what's happening in it.

[Anonymous]

Agree with pp..for me it's running..something about focusing on the breath and motivating myself to go..some point in the run I feel a release and it helps me get through the day. You are not alone..I have struggled with this for years and has flared up with my mom becoming sick..almost like the focus on me takes away the pain of slowly losing mom. Just know that you are not alone.