5 Ways to Stop the Health Anxiety Cycle
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Everyone worries about their health sometimes. However, health anxiety can be a quite serious problem when it gets more entrenched. Health anxiety is an obsessive and irrational worry about having a serious medical condition. It’s also called illness anxiety, and it used to be called hypochondria.
With health anxiety, you believe you have an illness that you don’t actually have. Another form of health anxiety is somatization disorder, where you interpret small bodily sensations as being a symptom of something serious.
But health anxiety is a real paradox. There are some things a lot of people try to soothe their anxiety that actually feeds it. This is called the health anxiety cycle. But there is an escape - it’s just different from what you might think.
In this video you’ll learn five things you might do that make health anxiety worse (and what to do instead).
The health anxiety cycle usually starts with something like a sensation in your body or even just hearing about someone else’s illness.
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In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life's direction.
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I feel so safe and heard in this comment section. Makes me feel less crazy. We aren’t alone.
That’s good
Same.
How have you been coping? I'm still struggling daily.
Amen
Absolutely! Videos relating to health anxiety are one of very non-toxic comment sections I've experienced. Health anxiety has taken it's toll on me! Convinced I have cancer, got tested of course. We know we have to block it out, but then you think "well what if it really is something, but I ignore it?" The irony of the situation is that the stress we cause ourselves really can be detrimental to our health! Stress can absolutely ravage the body! Hope you and anyone who reads this are coping the best we can!
I constantly worry. I’ve been to the doctor back to back. I constantly expect hearing the worst. Please you guys. Don’t torture yourself with this. Your okay. Please calm your soul. Rest your thoughts. Trust God. We expect the worst but most times what we are worrying about don’t even be the case. Anxiety is like walking around with a umbrella everyday expecting it to rain. You’ll be okay keep your head up. Coming from a person who suffers from this terribly . I get it .
Hello. How are you feeling now?
You comment made me cry . Thank you I just have the worst health anxiety
@@dominicfetizan1119 hey I’m feeling much better … I still have my days and still considering therapy tho thanks so much for asking ❤️❤️
@@Kapua808 I’m glad I could help and your not alone beautiful trust me I have it bad too but you’ll overcome this ❤️❤️
Wow what an amazing, positive, true, uplifting comment. We need more Lakeishas in this world that will take the time out of her day to say something like that to complete strangers. Thank you Lakeisha for being a great human. I would had we all need to be like this. We are all on this planet together. I dont care where you come from, what your skin color is, or who you call god, we have to help and support one another and let kindness and compassionate be our light!!
The Googling part is what destroyed me
same
same my parents always tell me don't search it on google then i stopped searching then i starter searching again then my mother saw me searching again so we just went to the doctor to stop this worrying and turned up it was all hyperacidity......also told my doctor about my searching and show my search history it was embarassing and she said some google websites about your health is not true😂
Same
I don't do google on my "symptoms" I would probably be better off if I did
Many ended up here thanks to google somehow, right? 😅 Plus, I think physical clinics have professionals doing bad their job. Humans are imperfect. Hoping we can all find a good solution for us anywhere ❤
It’s so hard to ignore it because it feels like this time it’s a real threat. “What if I ignore it and it’s real this time?”
That's the biggest part of it for me. It's so many what ifs. Even if something is unlikely, what if its happening to me? It's killer. It makes it hard to calm myself, I'll tell myself "What are the odds? What if its nothing, like it always has been?" But it always wraps back around to "What if it really IS something this time?"
@@JuliusCaesar2005same 😢
thats a huge part of my problem, i always think that if i ignore it and dont assume the worst im gonna miss something and it turns out to be fatal 😭
@@courtneycuellar3536 Ignoring it, at least temporarily, has worked for me. I tell myself to ignore it and just keep moving with my day. If it doesn't go away by the end of the day and gets worse, I can go to the ER. And eventually I forget about it and only lasts a day.
That's exactly my curse
I’ve convinced myself I have cancer this week. Last week it was MS, the week before it was a lung cyst. It’s completely exhausting. Sometimes I feel like I’m losing my mind! Edit: hey guys! Can’t believe the amount of likes and comments this has. I just want to let you all know that I no longer feel this way. I’ve been doing SO much work to heal myself and I truly don’t feel anywhere near as anxious as before. Some days it creeps up on me trying to drag me back! But not often :)
Hi, I can relate so much to how you feel. Every single day, I have new diseases in my mind. Just last two weeks, kidney disease. Last week it was rheumatoid arthritis. This week it is heart disease. It's tiring and yes, like you said, I feel like I am losing my mind.
I totally understand this morning i was washing my face and i spit some blood and i m pretty sure it’s because of dry air i m 20 and don t smoke . But it was a very hard day where i convinced myself i have lung cancer i lived as if the doctor told me i have it as if i have only a few days left and it’s not the first time each time i convince myself i have a certain disease based on a little event and it’s hard to live with it
I can totally relate. For the past months I had anal cancer, and now I have stomach cancer. It really does feel so real, but after watching this I know its all in our heads.
@@aminefs4010 OH MY GOODNESS! Same here. I was brushing my teeth one time and spit up blood and wasn’t sure if it was from my gums or my lungs … happened the next day and i convinced myself i had throat cancer or HIV.. i don’t understand how my mind even goes there but there is no stopping a spiral. it’s terrifying.
Was there with ya last year before being diagnosed with severe ulcerative colitis
I have been diagnosed with blood cancer, skin cancer, enlarged prostate, erectile dysfunction, parkinson, testicular cancer, falling teeth, blindness, arthrithis.. and several other severe illnesses, all in my imagination. God be with me, i'm so tired of being scared 24/7.
Your not alone my friend
I'm thinking I have colon cancer, Lymphoma, Diabetes, Prostate cancer, testicle Cancer, Leaukimia, Brain Tumor, Bone Tumor, and also Heart disease :(
This comment is my life! And it also made me smile. Thanks for this. ❤
for me it is ALS, MS, Lung cancer, cervical cancer, skin cancer, stomach ulcer, heart sttach but at the moment it is mainly ALS and since today mouth cancer since I had a weird taste in my mouth and some white areas. I am literally consumed by anxiety
@@gamervictor1569 Same same brother😂 seriously same disease in imagination
I worry about constantly being sick, thinking every minor ache and pain is cancer or something life threatening. Anxiety is genuinely the worst sickness I have had up until this point because it just doesnt feel like its going to go away. Even when I feel like it gets better, I have another setback
So true. Comes in waves and doesn't seem to ever fully leave
Exactly the same thank you for sharing!! And too scared to get checked out, but I think ima take that step to quiet the obsession
I feel the same way
fr man i get headaches at the back of my head and i have asthma and anxiety makes me think it’s always the worst. Thought i have a tumor and brain cancer or something man it’s so scary.
@@beepboop1472right! you are not alone. i feel the same
I served 21 years as a military combat medic. I’ve taken care of thousands of patients and the whole time I was and still am afraid of going to the doctor for fear of being told the worst. I absolutely avoid going to the doctor at all cost. I’m closing in on 50 years old and know I must soon face my fears and go get a checkup and physical. Keep me in prayer as I pray for all of you so we can live our best happy, and healthy lives.
i’m sure that you are fine. are you?
I hope you did go to the doctor. It will rest your mind when it’s over. I have horrible health anxiety but it does help me to hear the doctor say that things are okay. It also helps me when I eat right and exercise because I feel healthier overall.
Praying for you #Philosophat75 😇🙏 Would love to hear an update on how you’re doing! Thank you for helping so many people 🤗
Same❤ Im 49 and terrified of doctors😭
Same.
This comment section makes me feel not alone. Health anxiety comes and goes in my life but it can be so debilitating. Especially when I don’t tell anyone because I’m basically suffering in silence. I feel as those being labeled a hypochondriac is such a negative thing and that’s why I tend to reframe from it. Thank you for your videos.
I feel you so much! I just discovered this is an actual disorder and this is the first video I watched. What helps me more than the video, are the comments. Not to be dramatic but it literally makes me feel like I’m home. 😂
Talk to people you trust Trust me at the end of the day it’s gonna be worth it and it’s gonna get better
I have it too last night I keep feeling fatigue and tired and I have bad sleep I thought I have insomnia and is not going away so I am more worried and I thought my body has problem, after a while my bad sleep is gone and I watch this video and I feel better now
health anxiety does sound better
I literally cried through the last half of this. I’m ready to take control. I can’t live like this anymore. Thank you so much for the information. It’s exactly what I needed to get started in the right direction. Health anxiety is killing me more than anything I could actually be diagnosed with.
Stay strong
I thought I had hypochondria. Turns out I was diabetic, and the doctors didn’t catch it cause my blood sugar readings were lower than most diabetics. If you think something’s wrong, it’s probably wrong. Doctors convince you you’re a hypochondriac, because they don’t want to admit that they don’t know what’s causing your symptoms.
@@A5SASSIN it’s the worse. Going through this right now .😢
💞
I hope your doing well. This has been controlling my life for the last couple of years. These videos are now giving me information which are really helping. Slowly but surely I’m getting there
This comment section makes me feel so validated. I wish I knew you guys in person. Nobody in my real life understands
Me 2
Literally crying for the 6th time today and this makes me feel better. It's torture. It's incredibly frustrating and it makes me feel crazy. I'm only 17 and health anxiety has been making me miss out on things I could be enjoying. It's worrying that I might die at any moment everyday all the time. Done an EKG and a blood test recently, nothing wrong with them. Saw two doctors (primary care and psychiatrist), primary care doctor examined me and checked my blood test, pressure, oxygenation, bpm, and told me I should see a therapist because I have severe anxiety, and she even told me my chances of dying from a heart attack or having cancer are almost impossible because of my age and lifestyle (I exercise constantly, my family doesn't have a history of those and we actually have a genetic construction that makes our immunity very high, and eat a very healthy diet; I don't drink soda for example). Psychiatrist and psychologist diagnosed me with severe anxiety, illness anxiety and OCD. Just typing this comment and seeing the hundreds of people who feel the exact same things as me is so comforting, so thanks everybody who left a comment, and thanks for the video.
Same ... i am 24... i got ill 6 months back with fever that lasted 6 days... And after that i have started having severe health anxiety... Cuz i had never been ill... before.. and i never cared about my health before... For eg.. i had covid in 2021... lasted 3 weeks.. and i didnt care... Not a bit... i know i was going to recover... This fever i had broke me... Any sensation i feel in my body makes me do googling and that Good doctor show too... It just messes it up... Sometimes it gets so much... My father and two of my uncles are Doctors... Surgeons all three of em General, Ortho, ENT... Sometimes i just dont believe their diagnosis😭😂😂
Same, I am also 17 and the amount of things I have worried about this past year alone is just ridiculous😅 I always seem to convince myself of something terrible if I have a small symptom, and it always turns out to be nothing
@@bilalamir1341 OMG!!! I watched the good doctor with my parents a few years ago and I think that contributed a lot to my health anxiety:(( I hope you find a way to manage it! I've been coping better but just now I had a very very bad crisis over a left arm pain, but my heart is completely normal. I just hurt my arm muscles lol...
This is now happening with me ....I am constantly worried about my heart and brain ...
fellow 17 yr here..been dealing with rlly bad panic attacks for 2 weeks now im glad i found others that feel the same :( its rlly scary
I’ve had a brain hemorrhage, cancer, liver failure, an infection, and multiple strokes all week. 😊
Oh boy! I can imagine how much adrenaline must have been pumping through your system that week.
I got calf pain right now so that must mean I have a blood clot. So I’m going to die. Yup. Pretty much dead. It’s torture.
Same 😊
@@lewis1180 I woke up hot and sweaty this past Tuesday so of course became obsessive about my pulse and was convinced I was having a cardiac episode..ended up at the er with two days long panic attack 😩
@@ricks8618 It's the worst. I was waiting for death to come at any moment. That kind of panic is not good for us.
5 things you might do in the health anxiety circle: 1. Meaning making: When having feelings, symptoms do not ask yourself: Why am I feeling this? What does that mean? - Instead say: It is just a sensation / this is anxiety speaking / just because I think stuff does not mean it's real 2. Catastrophizing: if something is uncomfortable or worrisome you take it to the extreme. - What to do instead: Label it as catastrophizing. 3. Googling - Googling can worsen your anxiety. Set a limit on reassurance seeking / consult a doctor once 4. Getting unnecessary tests 5. Seeking certainty - Accept that uncertainty is part of life Thank you Emma for these great videos
kzhead.info/sun/oa-RqslxmJVod30/bejne.html
Thank you!
Thanks for this (:
Thanks for saving me from wasting MY time on this video - looking for things to help my grandma who does this. She has dementia and will probably never get over it - I need things to tell her to calm down to save ME the headache 🤕
I wish I could copy this. Need to keep affirming this
*And there are some of us who actually DO have an illness to DEAL WITH!* But when you're on this side of the spectrum you learn one thing - YOUR MIND MAKES IT WORSE THAN IT ACTUALLY IS. People have thrived DESPITE OF THEIR ILLNESS. An illness can be the biggest eye opener to the beauty of the world! So take it from someone who is actually going through it.....not just imagining it.....and see that your worries can be used to completely transform your life and become a braver and wiser version of you! It's never the worst thing that's ever happening to you if you decide that it's not.
I feel you, both acid reflux and anxiety heart palpitations just combine to give me never Ending chest and muscle pains, and I convince myself I have something wrong with my heart, been to hospital twice, and had an ambulance, had countless blood pressure tests, ECGs all fine about from a high heart rate form stress that went down when I calmed down. Still got the acid reflux, learning to deal with the health anxiety, sending love ❤️
needed this
@@localhoolahoop8132 I may be late, but taking some ACV can help with acid reflux. Mine was really bad until I started taking a table spoon of it or putting it in some water. Haven’t dealt with it since. Still dealing with heart palpitations though but not as bad as it use to. so i’m making progress ! Hope you’re doing well yourself ❤
I have diagnosed myself with many different types of cancer over the years. I have spent countless nights crying believing I’m dying. I have thought I have tumors, and poke myself around trying to see if I feel the tumors… I have thought I rather just die now instead of living like this. I cannot be there for my children the way I should from the depression and worry I’m dying. So they’d be better off without me. Not that I have thought about ending my life but I have thought I wish I didn’t wake up daily. Just forever sleep. I think loneliness has gotten the worse out of me. If I don’t worry about me I worry about my children thinking they’re the ones who for sure have a terminal illness. Living like this is worse than actually dying.
I’m going through this exact thing right now. Feeling all over my body to feel any abnormal shape or feeling. I have panic attacks every night and I correlate every minor pain or feeling with that. Just one little pimple in my armpit launched this.
@@alecburgess3341how a u feeling now?
stay strong ... i feel you
Coping mechanisms like meditating or relaxing to feel better can be troublesome also. Becoming obsessed with TRYING not to feel unwell creates rigidity and more uncertainty.
Same
Very true
thats a true thing.
I feel like the more Im trying it’s supposed to work but it doesn’t all the time and then I’m convinced something is definitely wrong because it’s not working. I feel more scared or want to run to ER for reassurance :(
I get what you mean. But the trick with meditation is to try to empty your mind. It know it's hard when you're somebody who's dealing with anxiety 24/7 but it's about not allowing those thoughts to enter your mind. No matter how much they want to cross your mind, NEVER allow it. If you keep that trick up, it'll work in your favor. I've been a long time meditator myself , been meditating for as long as I can remember now but even I would get those intrusive thoughts come to me from time to time. It's just about not giving it the power to penetrate. It's a hard task at first but it gets better the more you meditate. And your mind will be at ease and it won't bother you anymore.
Yes! I had an episode yesterday, I felt a sharp pain on my left side after working out, had a huge panic attack, kept checking my oxymeter to see if i was having an arrhythmia or heart attack, was a nightmare, couldn’t breathe and thought I was going to die, lasted almost an hour, the next day when my rational thinking returned I knew it was just muscle pain. This year alone I’ve convinced myself I’ve had skin cancer, eye cancer, heart problems, appendicitis etc… nightmare
Me too. I went to the emergency room 4 times. I look up cancer, heart attack, gastric bowel syndrome. I look up so much stuff. And I went to all emergency rooms and my doctors telling me that I am fine and everything is normal. I went to another doctor new and she said she is going to test my blood and urine and after that she will give me a CT scan. I said yes finally a CT scan will tell me everything. My blood results came and she didn't say anything. I was like what the heck. I called and she said your blood work is fine there is no need for a CT scan. I was so upset. I wanted to yell. I cried. I went to the ambulance on my birthday I could not breath. I was sure it was a heart attack. They told me nope looks like it could of been a panick attack. Whaaaaat?!, so now am trying to accept what doctors say that it is anxiety. It's so not easy to accept.
mine happened after i returned from our school gym i study abroad.. so i panicked i went to the hospital and my heartbeat was irregular so they kept me there for 3 days i was video calling my family crying my mom also was worried and she was crying but the last day in the hospital after doing all tests possible on my heart they told me actually your heart is stronger than the natural person because I’m an athlete(football player)i train almost everyday anyways a year later i still don’t know how to cope with it I’m always anxious at night... and i can’t go to a therapist because they only speak Chinese therefore i can’t explain all the symptoms i feel... is there i a medicine or vitamin i can take to treat my trauma?
SAAAAAMEE!!! I seriously think i have heart disease, clogged arteries, blood clots somewhere, a cyst in my body somewhere etc 🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲
I think I have skin cancer currently because I got a random mole on my hand and the last time I went to the doctor it was brushed off and I recently found a black line on my toe nail and my health anxiety just worsened
Omg…I’m always freaking out about appendicitis. It’s so horrible. Every pain on my right side immediately triggers a panic attack!
The comments really do not lie. I have always been anxious since I was a child. My friends and family would call me 'dramatic' followed by an eye roll. You could pin it down on being exposed to death and stressful situations whilst being really young, but since covid I haven't been the same. Covid rlly pushed me back from years of progress. Being isolated from my social life and the outside world led me into being chronically online on TikTok. The algorithm showed me people who had been diagnosed with my worst fears, telling you to 'listen to your gut'. I can't even leave the house on my own anymore. I just want to feel present and safe within my body. This video and the comments feel like a big warm hug rn.
do you have bipolar
I completely identify. I'm 65, & have been compulsively worrying about my health fo 45 years.
I completely understand
This is so me.. After 1 symptom there's always another one, and everytime there's a new one I always think "what if this one is real??' Anybody feels the same? The anxiety and worries are controlling my life! All the tips in this video help a lot, by the way, thanks.. I think i need to watch this regularly..
Exactlyyyy , it's a pain . Being in med school myself , i have broader diagnoses to be wary of and it's killing my time peace and energy 😭
Yep i do that too, i keep going back to previous "symptoms" when i see something on the Internet that is health related
me too! i really want to go back to my normal life :(
@@dapidapidap I got over it and I'll tell you how .. my fears were not of the symptoms themself but the fear of being sick when we are supposed to be working ...the fear of it being chronic ...Once you face your fears by doing your daily activities with full energy , you will be tired enough to not worry of health . The goal is not to have no active symptoms. The goal is to challenge yourself and convince yourself that you can do as well as before and no symptoms can make me sick in the bed .
@@Anakin_Sky_Walker omg what you said is true. just a few days ago i have to go out with my daughter to have a picnic along with her schoolmates. the park has so many stairs, surprisingly i was able to go up and down happily. i was tired, got cramps but that day went fine without any anxiety attack. but after i got home, any moderate level home chores got my heart beat super fast and went break down. i guess being at home give me time to worrying about my health. maybe i really should get more active.
I am constantly worried about the health of my loved ones and I always imagine the worst. It's so tiring - both mentally and physically 😐
Me too! It’s so exhausting to constantly worry about the health of your loved ones. I feel for you so much. ❤️🙏🏼
Especially if you live with them or are around them often.
ahhh yes:(
@@Meshaunjay exactly!
This is me as well. It's so heartbreaking!
I just went to the doctor for severe palpitations and heart racing (for hours at a time). He gave me an ekg and said i have severe anxiety 😥 (ekg was normal). I spent hours researching thinking it was Atrial Fibrillation or Heart inflammation or blah blah.... health anxiety is horrible. Thank you for this video. It's helpful 💙💙
Same exact thing happened to me in February and I started having panic attacks for the first time in my life. It started making me looking up all of the possible conditions I could’ve had. I found out I just have anxiety and turns out palpitations are very common with people with anxiety. I can say today they are a lot better but physical activity is necessary for me as well as staying hydrated with water.
I don’t know you personally but, perhaps, you search things online about your health? Regardless of how long you have been doing it I would recommend you stop (which is much easier said than done) if you find yourself turning to it for a sense of certainty. The sooner you quit searching things online about your health the sooner the obsession stops. If I am wrong that you search things online about your health frequently well than my bad sorry for waisting your time. I started searching things about my health right before fall of 2020, my freshman year of college. I can tell you that down the road it does get a lot better but it can only start when you make priorities to stop giving into bad habits like searching google for health advice or assuming that every palpitation is the beginning of a heart attack. I wish you the best of luck in your journey to dismantling anxiety! Remember, it doesn’t disappear over night!
Tim yes that's exactly the same with me! Ugh a vicious cycle. Thank you for your insight and well-wishes!
Same here 💜
@@timg8257 funny enough… absolutely the same thing happened to me.. my life went upside down. Currently, I’m doing better but sometimes I still feel like before. Stay strong everyone!
Can’t go to doctors because I’m scared of getting a diagnosis. On the time that I have gone, waiting for results is paralysing
same
Me too
Me too :(
thx for speaking up my mind. it's a vicious cycle :'(
Same
I watched another video on Health Anxiety here on YT about 4 people who had severe health anxiety in the UK. One young lady was convinced she had or was going to get cancer because her father died of cancer. She did all 5 of the things Emma mentions in this video.... She was a complete nervous wreck who constantly wanted 100% re-assurance that she was OK. The therapist she was working with told her "You fear cancer taking away your life...There IS SOMETHING taking away your life (health anxiety), but it's not cancer". Wow! so true!!
That's powerful and so true.
That is incredibly powerful! Thank you for sharing that
I’ve been dealing with this on a pretty severe level for about a full year. I am so thankful for you and your channel. I know this is gonna sound cheesy, but this is literally life changing for me. God bless you and thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Aww thanks! I'm so glad you find it helpful!!
Same!!🙃
kzhead.info/sun/oa-RqslxmJVod30/bejne.html
Experiencing the same thing. Always think about worst type of illnesses I can imagine. Every type of illnesses I saw on internet that have the same symptoms as mine even just a bit of it makes me search it up and thinks of the worst. I am still struggling but I am trying to relax myself and pray everyday.
Same here! Iv worked in a care home through Covid and it’s caused me to end up having panic attacks which even tho Iv always had anxiety Iv never experienced a full blown panic attack! Absolutely awful! These videos are helping me make sense of it all ❤️
so true! i wish i had this video a few years back when my health anxiety was so bad i could barely move without wanting to cry. so many things i tried didn't work like mantras or meditating (which just forced me to focus on the symptoms even more). when i learned to sit with the feelings and ignore them thats when i really started to get better. i used to spend months obsessing over the same illness to the point where i never thought about anything else and felt ashamed to even talk about it because i knew it was so delusional. i would give so much meaning and power to the symptoms and try to figure out why i was feeling them. i thought if i thought about the feelings constantly then i was "overcoming my fear" LOL. it took me way too long to realize that ignoring them was the only course of action because it got to a point where i basically trained my brain to think that if i feel an uncomfortable sensation im unable to function. teaching myself that i can live despite uncomfortable symptoms was a lot of hard work but it paid off so much. now i can immediately sense that initial wave of anxiety that tells me to google things and look for reassurance and instead of acting on it i just let it be and acknowledge that its just my brain being silly. it feels so good to have that power back. really great video! and to anyone reading this whos going through the same thing, it REALLY does get better. in 2017 my health anxiety was so bad i considered checking myself into a mental hospital every day because the delusion was so severe. a few years later im doing so much better and thats without any therapy! i did it all by myself! if you're too poor to afford therapy there is STILL hope. i did it and you can too!
Sorry you have suffered like this. I also have been so terrified I was having symptoms and would die imminently that I literally sat on the sofa in one position and didn't dare move. You are the only other person I have heard say this too. I now force myself to get up shower or do light cleaning or put on make up etc and it seems to unlock the paralysing fear. Good luck for the future 😊
I've had it really bad since I was 15, but after having my baby last year at 28 it's gotten so much worse. There's so much more at stake and it honestly hurts to love another being so much. Hopefully soon I can be on your level.
How are you doing now?
@@hayleyjane6763 im so sorry to hear you've gone through a similar experience. i really wouldn't wish it on anyone. but you are so strong for overcoming it and getting yourself to get up & shower, etc. that takes a lot of strength and im proud of you for being able to do that! once you're able to get yourself to function despite the anxiety it only gets easier from there.
@@katieann9026 that's so awful :( i could never understand the anxiety that comes w being responsible for a child but i truly hope you are able to overcome it. please remember that its okay to ask for help & you don't have to carry everything on your own. i wish you the best
I've had "difficulty breathing" on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. It felt like a mild-ish restriction in my nasal path and tightness in my chest. Told my parents how I was feeling and got rushed to the ER at 10 pm. I was given 3 nebulizer doses, anti-acid, an ECG, and an x-ray. The x-ray turned out fine. The nebulizer helped a lot in getting rid of the restriction I had in my nasal area and helping me breathe better. But, the ECG showed something slightly off. The doctors discharged me just before 1 am and told me and my parents that nothing was wrong other than something was a bit off with my ECG. They told us to refer to a cardiologist if it happens again. After that event, I can safely say that I've got HA. The next day and forth, I started monitoring my heartbeat, breathing, vision, etc.. Every small body event that used to be normal before March 8th triggered panic in me. An example would be standing up and blacking out sometimes after sitting for long periods of time. I used to ignore those temporary blood pressure drops, but now, it triggers me. In summary, I couldn't go back to my normal activities completely because I was anxious and afraid of heart issues (and other complications) after that day. On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, I woke up in the middle of the night and started focusing on my breathing. Within 5 minutes of trying to calm myself down and multiple attempts to fall back asleep, the cold sweat breaks in. My heart rate went up, my body numbed all over, had tunnel vision, and panic ensued. I thought to myself "it's happening again, I need to go to the ER" and woke up my mother. She seemed calm about it and told me to just calm down. I sat on the couch for 20 minutes and eventually calmed myself. My breathing and heart rate went back to normal and I went back to sleep with my father in the other room for company. Then came Monday, March 20, 2023, when we went to the doctor's office after searching for a cardiologist a few days before just to make sure there wasn't anything actually wrong and (hopefully) get rid of my anxiety. The doctor told me that she found nothing wrong other than something was slightly off with my second ECG on the same day (which confirms the ER doctor's findings from my first ECG). She told me that my readings were mostly normal, but, there was actually something of slight concern about my ECG and asked if we could do a 2D echo on Friday, March 24, 2023. We said yes because I had no classes on Fridays. Before we left, she reminded me "stop thinking (about your heart)" and to focus on something else or my usual activities. School helped a lot in distracting my mind, by the way. On the day of my echocardiogram, she found something different about my heart. She showed me and my mother the screen and explained that I have mild MVP (mitral valve prolapse) and mild mitral valve regurgitation (a tiny amount of blood was leaking through the valve because it isn't closing properly). After hearing the diagnosis, my heart rate went up due to panic. I thought to myself "Oh no, heart valve surgery incoming!". She saw my increased heart rate on the monitor and told me to calm down. She explained to me that mild MVP isn't a cause for concern and that many people have it too. After going back to her office for the results, she advised me to start a workout plan and to maintain a healthy diet. She once again reassured me that she, a trained cardiologist, is not worried and that I should not worry too. After that day, I felt really very relieved and happy and most of my anxiety went away. But still, there's a small piece of that anxiety and trauma that remains and it sometimes comes back to haunt me in subtle ways. Like when I go to bed or my mind isn't busy, I switch manual breathing for a few seconds and/or I try and feel my heartbeat to check if I have arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat). Or when I do activities that raise my heart rate, I start focusing on it too much. If you've read this far, I salute you. I just wanted to share my experience to hopefully help kick health anxiety out of my mind. If you have tips to share, please reply. I would appreciate any help.
do you have bipolar
I v visited er for abdominal aortic aneurysm...gall bladder stone...heart attack...mouth cancer..unstable angina ....stroke...(all diseases cooked up by my mind) nothing came everything was fine...but you are right...the trauma .the fear that this is probably my last day ..I won't live now ..affects a lot ....hypochondria sucks
HI, your story is so much like mine! And as you said, doctor said its all ok and to live my life normally, to train and not to worry... But those 2 weeks of monitoring ECG at home 24h/day pushed me into panic attacks, worry and crying. After 2 weeks my doctor looked at ecg and said I have some palpitation or added heart beat, but it isn't dangerous. Now I am working to overcome the fear and anxiety about that. I have trouble sleeping. I worry going places alone or far away from medical help, It's really annoying :) Bu am working on getting better. I wish you all the peace and calmness in life. We are ok :)
@@sanjaskoric4824 Same thing happening with rn. The main thing is i am living alone and it makes it worse. I wish i had someone to talk while this happening to me...i wish there were a community or any group where we can share our real time anxiety and someone talk to us and relieve us. 😔😔
I've struggled a lot with health anxiety the last 10 yrs. A big issue for me is feeling nauseous and having stomach aches. For me, when some new sensations arise out of nowhere, it's not that i necessarily believe i have stomach cancer or some other serious problem, it's just that the possibility is terrifying. I'm forced to consider my own mortality and that sooner or later i will in fact die. The mere possibility that i may have a serious problem is enough to stress and depress me a lot. I usually end up thinking that if it doesn't go away then I can't keep ignoring it long-term just in case it is serious, and so I'll have to eventually see doctor. The prospective stress of making appointments and having tests is very unpleasant. So i end up telling myself it's probably nothing and really hoping the symptoms will go away on their own, and i wait weeks before eventually giving up and going to the doctor. It's just really hard when you're terrified of dying and the mere possibility of a serious problem is enough to derail you.
I have the exact same problem mate it’s torture man
I have EXACTLY the same. Have you tried giving up gluten and dairy? Has helped me tremendously!
do you have bipolar
so relatable.. wish you to manage this in the best way possible, my friend
Have been suffering for as long as I remember. Constantly checking symptoms and terrified of a potential fatal health incident. Keep making videos like this to help us who feel this way. It is crippling.
Living like this is like a curse
@@petropieters8649 anything help
do you have bipolar
me too. thank you for making people feel less alone. I hope you can feel less alone through this video ♥️
We actually have too much unverified medical information on the internet. I was panicking recently about a blood test I took. Many internet articles made it sound like I was about to die soon. Subsequent blood testing showed that it was a false reading affected by fasting and other factors. We need to be very careful when we read medical articles without any medical training or experience.
This is me! Struggling with health anxiety for months. Never used to think about it at all.
Yesss same.
Me too since two months ago. How are you doing?
@@wasupman2284 I’m doing better. Thanks for asking. It’s a daily effort though. Releasing and trusting. Some days are better than others.
Literally me
I've had it ever since the beginning of the year due to a traumatic experience with my heart. I was fine, but now every time there's a sting in my chest that is probably caused by my bad posture and fact that I don't walk a lot, I think I'm having a heart attack, and well, you know the drill. Literal torture. It's great that I'm not alone.
Just cried after watching this video. This is my life in a nutshell. I’m praying for better days.
I'm so glad you talked about that feeling of doom. I used to get these panic attacks in the middle of the night. I was convinced I was being warned I was going to die. I would literally sob. It went on for a while until I told my husband who was like, "You need to see a therapist." It did not even occur to me that it was a panic attack. I wish this was talked about more openly... especially in religious communities, where those types of feelings can be blurred with what you believe are warnings or promptings or whatever you want to call them.
Angela, you are not alone! I myself feel the same exact way. The feeling of impending doom and thinking everything was a sign for me that its my time. That feeling and thought(s) are sooo hard to ignore/ get over so easily because your mind is for sure that the feeling is real. i'm learning everyday that it will be okay and to take one day at a time and really believe that I am alive and well and that these intrusive thoughts of doom are just meaningless nonsense. i'm sending you loving & healing energy xoxo. We can do this together!
@@actuallyspacejam6383 same its horrible, please give some advice!
@@actuallyspacejam6383 trust me! the signs so many damn signs! Im happy im not alone and they most probably arent signs but im sorry your suffering too! I hope your well💜
@@izziemanning6021 we could communicate if you like, do you have discord?
I feel you, the other day I had a song stuck in my head it was about a murder i think and I thought that meant i was going to die it sucks the feel that you can’t do anything. Oh and I remember I used to like to listen to those gut feeling stories which doesn’t help at all.
I’m a 26 year old male and I never had health anxiety until 2018. Here’s an example that #5 absolutely validates: I recently had a fellow I do business with tell me that people my age “need to watch out for testicular cancer”. It triggered me, of course, and I began to exam myself after googling. I discovered something known as the “epididymis”, and immediately thought it was a lump (catastrophize). I went to my D.O. (Physician), who is also a male, and asked him to examine me to see what I was feeling. He felt around and said it was normal anatomy. Now, my mind is racing thinking: “what if he didn’t feel EXACTLY what I’ve been feeling, and he missed it during examination?” So, in short, no it does not help to seek reassurance constantly. It can throw you in another cycle of hell. But, as my good friend who is an ophthalmologist told me, “Chad, are you really going to question a man who attended medical school and residency?” Just relax. I’m trying as hard as you are!
I went through exactly the same! Lol. I remembered Tom Green's famous MTV special on testicular cancer. I was sure I had it.
I went through the same thing with the epididymis
Hey man I also went to a ent to check for lump in neck she also said nothing is there after which had same feelings like you had ,but after I read this who are we to question a person who studied all this like half of their life
I didn’t have health anxiety until I experienced something very similar. A friend shared a story of something her sister in law went through and it scared the heck out of me, I began doubting doctors.
do you have bipolar
Currently thinking I have cancer due to stomach/pelvic pain. After stressing for months thinking that I have throat cancer(thank god I don't), I finally relaxed and literally all of a sudden BAM I get pelvic and stomach pain....here comes the stress again -_-
“In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.” Psalms 94:19
Amen!!!
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ طه Ta-Ha.  Chapter 20 Taha سورة طه - Taha: Verse 2 مَا أَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ لِتَشْقَىٰ We have not sent down the Quran to thee to be (an occasion) for thy distress,  Chapter 20 Taha سورة طه - Taha: Verse 3 إِلَّا تَذْكِرَةً لِمَنْ يَخْشَىٰ But only as an admonition to those who fear (Allah),-  Chapter 20 Taha سورة طه - Taha: Verse 4 تَنْزِيلًا مِمَّنْ خَلَقَ الْأَرْضَ وَالسَّمَاوَاتِ الْعُلَى A revelation from Him Who created the earth and the heavens on high.  Chapter 20 Taha سورة طه - Taha: Verse 5 الرَّحْمَٰنُ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ اسْتَوَىٰ (Allah) Most Gracious is firmly established on the throne (of authority).  Chapter 20 Taha سورة طه - Taha: Verse 6 لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَمَا تَحْتَ الثَّرَىٰ To Him belongs what is in the heavens and on earth, and all between them, and all beneath the soil.  Chapter 20 Taha سورة طه - Taha: Verse 7 وَإِنْ تَجْهَرْ بِالْقَوْلِ فَإِنَّهُ يَعْلَمُ السِّرَّ وَأَخْفَى If thou pronounce the word aloud, (it is no matter): for verily He knoweth what is secret and what is yet more hidden.  Chapter 20 Taha سورة طه - Taha: Verse 8 اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ لَهُ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ Allah! there is no god but He! To Him belong the most Beautiful Names.  Chapter 20 Taha سورة طه - Taha: Verse 9 وَهَلْ أَتَاكَ حَدِيثُ مُوسَىٰ Has the story of Moses reached thee?  Chapter 20 Taha سورة طه - Taha: Verse 10 إِذْ رَأَىٰ نَارًا فَقَالَ لِأَهْلِهِ امْكُثُوا إِنِّي آنَسْتُ نَارًا لَعَلِّي آتِيكُمْ مِنْهَا بِقَبَسٍ أَوْ أَجِدُ عَلَى النَّارِ هُدًى Behold, he saw a fire: So he said to his family, "Tarry ye; I perceive a fire; perhaps I can bring you some burning brand therefrom, or find some guidance at the fire."  Chapter 20 Taha سورة طه - Taha: Verse 11 فَلَمَّا أَتَاهَا نُودِيَ يَا مُوسَىٰ But when he came to the fire, a voice was heard: "O Moses!  Chapter 20 Taha سورة طه - Taha: Verse 12 إِنِّي أَنَا رَبُّكَ فَاخْلَعْ نَعْلَيْكَ ۖ إِنَّكَ بِالْوَادِ الْمُقَدَّسِ طُوًى "Verily I am thy Lord! therefore (in My presence) put off thy shoes: thou art in the sacred valley Tuwa.  Chapter 20 Taha سورة طه - Taha: Verse 13 وَأَنَا اخْتَرْتُكَ فَاسْتَمِعْ لِمَا يُوحَىٰ "I have chosen thee: listen, then, to the inspiration (sent to thee).  Chapter 20 Taha سورة طه - Taha: Verse 14 إِنَّنِي أَنَا اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاعْبُدْنِي وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِذِكْرِي "Verily, I am Allah: There is no god but I: So serve thou Me (only), and establish regular prayer for celebrating My praise.  Chapter 20 Taha سورة طه - Taha: Verse 15 إِنَّ السَّاعَةَ آتِيَةٌ أَكَادُ أُخْفِيهَا لِتُجْزَىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ بِمَا تَسْعَىٰ "Verily the Hour is coming - My design is to keep it hidden - for every soul to receive its reward by the measure of its Endeavour.  Chapter 20 Taha سورة طه - Taha: Verse 16 فَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكَ عَنْهَا مَنْ لَا يُؤْمِنُ بِهَا وَاتَّبَعَ هَوَاهُ فَتَرْدَىٰ "Therefore let not such as believe not therein but follow their own lusts, divert thee therefrom, lest thou perish!".. 
Amen.
Amen
@Andreea Amen
This comment section helps me know I'm not alone! In the past month I've convinced myself that I had three different cancers, eye disease, and a neurological disorder. It is so exhausting constantly worrying and googling my symptoms. I've suffered from anxiety for over a decade but within the last 6 months it has turned into health anxiety and catasrophizing. Really hoping that this will go away.
I've only had health anxiety since 2020 and that was due to my first panic attack but I cannot imagine having this for decades and decades because it's so debilitating and I just want to say that I truly TRULY feel for you. And I'm so sorry that this is happening to you I started having it back in 2020 when the world was going crazy and I'm already complaining so much about it because of the long lengthy list of anxiety symptoms It has truly changed me as an individual and sometimes it feels like I've already gone completely insane from it and there's no turning back now so I cannot imagine what it has done to you over all these long years. I really am truly sorry with what you're going through. Sometimes I wish I could help people and do more but all I can really do is offer up my time to try to engage with as much people as I possibly can because I would hate to have to go through this alone. But I'm always here if you need somebody to talk to. I'm a great listener :)
I think the worst part about my hypochondria is that I DO have symptoms of a disease and I’m seeing a doctor to monitor if I actually develop it since I have blood markers for it :( It’s hard to conquer the anxiety when you have proof you should be concerned
i’m dealing with this right now and it’s debilitating. did u ever find out what was wrong?
I've been watching doctors talking about diabetes, heart attack, stroke for 3 days. My health anxiety is extremely high right now.
ive gotton health anxiety ever since being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes earlier this year. through diet change and exercise i reversed it and i am no longer diabetic or even pre diabetic my blood work came back brilliant and my dr was amazed and chuffed....but since then ive had health anxiety and now convince myself i have something mainly cancer...and i hate myself for putting myself through it but i cant help it
Keep away from watching that stuff it only makes it worse I did the same thing a month ago and it only made it worse
YESSSSSSS!!!!!!😬😵💫
@@theginge4037 do you know the muffin man
Same.....more we attached to those video more likely to attract it
I've been going through some health stuff recently. Having loads of tests and waiting for results. The whole process has triggered my anxiety in a way that I never thought possible. I am a nervous wreck. I've been down the path of googling many many times in the last few months and it has definitely added fuel to the fire. After this video i'm going to try my hardest to limit this and to stop catastrophising. Sending positive thoughts to you all.
Its so scary isn’t it. Hope you are ok now.
How are you? Did it work out OK?
@@rageblademage the results were the best I could have hoped for under the circumstances. It just means that I'll need to be monitored long term which is difficult when you already have severe anxiety. I'm just trying to stay positive and not let mu compulsions win! Thank you for asking. I hope you're well 😊
@nibeam9251 I'm sorry to hear it wasn't "nothing" but glad it wasn't the worst! Xx thank you for your prompt reply, all the best!
"It's just the anxiety, it's not me." This line helped me a lot.
I've been dealing with health anxiety for almost three months...But I'm Glad that I'm not alone.
Living with health anxiety feels like having an axe suspended over my head that could come down on me at literally any moment. I'm constantly on high alert waiting for a catastrophe to happen.
I'm watching and crying saying "yeess!". It's so relatable and I feel so emotional hearing someone talking about how I feel daily, like omg finally someone who gets it. Thank you...
Problem also is having a powerful imagination some people can’t even picture a cow in there head . If I’m on a plane and I imagine turbulence I literally feel it my stomach drops every thing feels exactly like turbulence. So when I know the symptoms of stuff if I imagine feeling it I literally can’t tell the difference between reality and imagination.
I love this comment section. Everyone is so supportive of one another. I pray that we all get through this together one day at a time
i hope you have a great life ahead :)
Can relate. When i feel some sensation in my groin i immediately conclude ‘i have ovarian cancer’
I'm recovering from my most recent health scare. I've been able to sleep well for the past two weeks and I'll still sometimes get the thought of "what if it is cancer?" and my heartrate goes up. I'm usually by myself when these intrusive thoughts kick in and I like to audibly tell myself "calm the f*ck down. You're not dying. The doc said that the cancer you think you have is not common for someone that young. Your blood test came back good and the doc deemed further testing uneccessary and not worth it considering how expensive they are. You're good. Now you're gonna chill the f*ck out and focus your time on what you're doing right now." I know talking to myself seems weird but it helps me a lot. I'll go over that same paragraph in my mind whenever I'm in public and that helps put me at ease. I thought I was dying of Brain Cancer during my first health scare about 4 years ago and I like to think, about how if I really did have it, I'd be dead by now or cripplingly sick.
I've had multiple tests, been to multiple doctors and everything is normal. Yet I can't stop feeling that something is wrong😔 It's so disruptive. I feel unable to do daily tasks. This is very helpful. Thank you.
I have same thing, visit a psychiatrist
❤️we are really in this together
I feel this so much because we share the same struggle. Hang in there!
I am in the same situation currently. A month ago I feared of having rabies though I knew the scratch that I got was from my own nails but I went to take rabies vaccine in the govt. hospital coz I thought it's always better to be in the safer side. Now after getting vaccinated, I am having fear that what if the nurse had injected me with the same needle with that of other man. The nurse was giving vaccine in a very organised way. I started overthinking about it because I was not able to see whether the nurse disposed the used syringe as I was standing outside the room in the queue. But after giving me vaccine the nurse disposed the syringe.And after that I was like what if she injected me with the used syringe. Although I saw that the loaded syringes were already kept in an organised way on the table.Also I think that if the syringe was used by other person it would have been empty.How can a nurse give an empty syringe to me. Even if the syringe is empty she would not have been able to give me vaccine on both my arms. I know that as she is the nurse. She knows better than me. I was having panic attacks that I am so convinced that I am going to have HIV, Hepatitis B and C. All because of the shits on my brain. I am glad that I am not the only one suffering from it. Even I try to ask questions to myself why do I think that the nurse gave me the used syringe. And I answer myself back that if the syringe was used then it must be empty.How the nurse would give me an empty syringe.she shall not be able to give the vaccine on both my arms. Believe me guys Googling of our symptoms makes it even worse. I don't want my life to get ruin like this. I was full of life earlier, always making others smile. After dog bite in 2019 always living in a fear of having rabies and after taking the vaccine each year this shit is revolving around my mind that I might have injected with the used needle which I know that it is not true but still I am not able to accept the fact. Feeling so helpless that I feel like crying so hard😭😭😭😭😭. Also in 2020 I lost my father due to heart attack and from that incident I always feel like I have lost everything in my life. There is no purpose in life . I am so depressed😭.My life is so ruined. God help me 🙏
@@sanjurunda3442 I feel you man. One week I was convinced I had osteoarthritis another week It was Anklosying Spondylitis, then after that it was a muscle tear, and now this week it is the extremely rare and 100% fatal genetic disease Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, but I also somehow have Sepsis, and MS. Real this whole health anxiety issue is taxing on my mental and physical condition. Like on I think I have one of these diseases I go into flight or fight mode and began pacing and sweating profusely or just curly up into a ball and hyperventilating. The funny thing is that when I'm occupied none of these symptoms of any of these conditions are there. But because it is so ingrained into my mind to be experiencing some terminal or life threatening illness I can never shake that feeling of foreboding.
I know for many of us our assumption of what's going on isn't happening and we are all fine. But I can't help to think, WHAT IF this time it's not like that, or I'm an outlier. It's so so hard.
literally me. what if this time it's different. It's a never ending cycle.
@@devorahtenajeros9843 me as well, literally was saying the same thing to myself just before i found this video
This anxiety really kill us from the inside. Making us barely living
I have actually ruined some of the most beautiful moments of my life bcoz of this health anxiety and after decades I am still alive no big issue and still worried .PLEASE DONT DO THIS TO UR SELF !!! You are all fine😁
True i'm battling with this since i was only 7 years old. Of all the diseases and health problems i've diagnosed myself to i'm completely fine. Our brains are just fucked up.
I went to urgent care and then 2 days later, the ER. I fully believed there was something wrong with my heart. (I’m 26 years old) I convinced myself this was it for me. I cried and cried. From the moment i woke up to the moment i tried to rest my heart was racing and I was panicking constantly. I got 2 different EKGS and 3 different blood tests. Turns out I gave myself a stomach ulcer from worrying so much. I haven’t worked in 2 weeks and was literally losing hope. Thank you so much for this. I felt like I was actually going crazy.
I'm here because I am worried about my health this past few weeks I secretly go to the hospital to check if I am okay and turns out I am okay but then I can't stop worrying because I have no energy to entertain myself or go outside but the overthink and be pessimistic every day. Comments are so nice and helpful. Thank youuu
I have to say I'm 28 now and I've been trying to tell myself... "Don't worry NOW because when something REALLY happens you won't have the choice." If you don't feel like you're gonna die on the spot then you have room to relax.
As weird as it sounds that mindset is really helpful to me too. It's like when I had airplane anxiety it's like, hypothetically if the worst happened which is extremely unlikely, what is the point to being anxious for all the time prior to that? Like, why worry twice? We all know we're not immortal. There is an odd comfort in releasing control and accepting it. So why live your whole life thinking about it. I know it's easier said than done but it can be a good neutral logical way to reframe it.
do you have bipolar
@@walidsarwary why do you ask??
@ThatStupidSodaJerk cause in internet says health anxiety often comes with bipolar disorder
@@walidsarwary well my grandfather had it and sometimes my mood does do a 180 but generally speaking I'm an even tempered person I'd like to think. Some of it comes from medical neglect as a teen.
I’m going through it bad right now. I’ve gone from worrying that I have some sort of undetected heart condition, type 2 diabetes and then ALS this week alone. I’m somewhat uplifted by the fact I’m clearly not alone. God bless you all.
Meee omg. Huhuhuhu
me too, holy shit.
Same hete
do you have bipolar
My health anxiety is extremely crippling. I can’t drive, I can’t leave the house, I can’t sleep, or eat, or watch tv, or hang out with family… literally there’s not a single thing I can do that gets my mind off the fear of getting sick or a loved one getting sick. On top of that I am constantly feeling my body for lumps and bumps, I’m beyond scared of cancer. My neck is my worst trigger area, I have gerd and have always had globus sensation, but since my anxiety has worsened over the years, the globus sensation drives me insane. I constantly press my throat trying to feel for nodules, I go to the bathroom every hour to see what the back of my throat looks like with my flashlight on. It’s a horrible cycle because the globus sometimes will not go away, that alone makes my anxiety sky rocket on top of the constant checking. At that point the only that that makes it go away is sleeping, but when I try to fall asleep my mind won’t stop racing and I get shivers and anxiety shakes. I take melatonin and Benadryl every night but it stopped working. When I do fall asleep it’s no more than 4 hours and every single time I wake up I’m in full panic mode. Heart racing, sweaty, cold sweats, upset stomach, constant feeling of dread… it’s LEGIT crippling. I just want to feel normal and at peace.
I'm in the same place now. How are you doing now?
I had a scaled-down version of that this summer because of Vertigo, man Vertigo is no fun! How long have you had your health anxiety? For me its been around 2 months. Are you okay now? For me it's really impactful to workout everyday which really boosts your mood also Therapy helps too! You will be fine!
Hello my friend my name is Anthony, I was right where you are a year ago and now I’m on my way to being completely free from health anxiety. I can help you. It’s going to be a lot of hard work but you can be free from this. I thought I would never be free and now I am and you can be too. Please reach out if your interested, I’m here to help you.
I have gerd and I do the exact same things as you! It’s nice to see comments, that make me feel like I’m not on my own.
@@anthonycolini8533 how did you cope up with this?
For a lot of years i had depression and anxiety and in the last 12 months I've got better:) I still have a lot of problems, but, i do not take pills anymore and I don't have panic attacks:)
Wow!! That’s so awesome! I’m so happy for you! Depression, Anxiety and panic attacks are so debilitating. I’ve had them myself for many years. I’m so glad you are finally free from these conditions. How did you overcome them?
Praise God for your recovery 🙏for me tku
My health anxiety has gotten really bad in the past couple of months. I have something that, since I was young, made me worry that I could have cancer. But it was never too big of a deal until I graduated, then my fears got really bad to the point where the stress started causing stomachaches and making it to where I struggled to eat. It caused this awful cycle of stress causing sickness, me thinking the sickness is a sign of something severe, and getting even more sick from the stress those thoughts caused. I finally worked up the courage to tell somebody about my fears, and the stress and stomachaches eased pretty soon after. I had spent so much time dwelling on those little thoughts and fears that I didn’t realize I had made a monster out of something small. Getting a little bit of reassurance went such a long way in helping. Unfortunately, the thoughts are starting to come back (or I wouldn’t be here), but I’m hoping I can get a better rein on them this time. I’m only 18. I recently moved to a place where I can finally work on healing and overcoming the problems I struggle with. I just want to live a happy life where I don’t spend every day with the lurking thought that I could be dying.
im going through the same thing and im also 18. you’re not alone, you will get through this!!
19 and my health anxiety came back, it was bad beginning of the year but another scare happened and now look at me🤦🏾♀️ i hate this
Hey I'm 21 going through it, it's comforting that I'm young. I'm finally getting better too. Good luck
I had chest pains with GERD a month ago and every second since then I have been trying to get my mind off my health. I have convinced my self it was everything from cancer to HIV to organ failure. I have been to three docs since had blood tested had EKG and every one said im ok... i still have panic attacks and dont stop. I'm tierd and im exhausted from it all. Plz don't stress
same here
Same here! Currently being treated for acid reflux and from time to time I think “what if the doctors are wrong?” “What if they missed something?” All test results are clear but like you, I still struggle. Praying for you! 🙏
Just accept that it’s there and be mindful about it. Gerd is common and alot of people have this condition and it’s not a life threat
Same here i remember getting a blood test when i was 11 back then i did not deal with this anxiety i guess sometimes bad habits can cause several infections..... Rn im 14 i deal with health anxiety i always talk to my parents about how i feel... and that always makes me feel better you know... The thing is back long ago i did things i guess we can call them bad things but not that bad And welp... i was convinced i had a STD But my parents told me if you did have this STD the docter would have told us long ago you had that in a blood analisis And well i try not to think that to avoid thinking bad things.....
I’ve had the same. EKGs all good and even an ER visit and every time I get one of those pains I freak. It is exhausting I feel you on this.
Thanks for this video. This type of anxiety controls my life massively, my biggest problem is that I fear of illnesses caused by stress, so I try super hard not to stress which causes me extremely stressed -_-. I hate this cycle and I haven't yet found anything that would help me.
You described my life these past few months u.u
Have you tried meditation? Try a golden light guided meditation.
I have the same exact problem, one thing that helps me is realizing that my body was made to handle severe stress. Stress is not good fir us but our body can handle it, you will have many symptoms as your body handles it but that doesn’t mean your sick. I don’t know if your religious but I have found that there is nothing more powerful than knowing that your life is in the hands of a Being that knows you and loves you and total power. It has an extremely powerful effect on the mind and gives total peace.
Also I recommend a high tryptophan diet to up your serotonin levels, High cardio exercise every day to boost serotonin and get oxygen to the brain, drink lots of water, get lots of fresh air and do frontal lobe strengthening exercises, listen to soothing music, exc. Don’t expect to feel a difference immediately, it takes time but it’s extremely effective, trust me I know from personal experience. I was being absolutely tormented every day non stop, I know what your going through, don’t give up, it will get better. Also get as much sun light as much as possible and do deep breathing exercises five times per day. Eat a high plant based highly nutritious diet, health fish like wild caught salmon. There’s so much info I can give you, If your interested let me know. I hate seeing people suffer with this, it’s so debilitating.
@@lardoy2509 I have this problem also but I’ve come a long way, let me know if you want info of what I did.
The worst part is that I know that all these dull pains are nothing. My mid back hurts so it’s cancer or a heart attack and then it spirals. I know it’s probably a pulled muscle, but I’m on day 5 of new symptoms.
I’ve been dealing with this basically nonstop over the past week usually multiple times a day, I’m so thankful for all the resources that are available to realize I’m not alone, and that there is a way to overcome and manage this feeling
this video screamed my namee I've been struggling with health anxiety for the past month :(
Me too but for 36 years 🤦🏻♀️🤣
I hope it's helpful!
Past 3 months for me.
6 months for me
2 weeks intensely...and I dont think its going away soon.
Spent the past 2 weeks of my life convincing myself that acid reflux was actually agnia/a heart attack despite having tests multiple time and all coming back fine apart from a fast heart rate that calmed down as soon as I calmed my anxiety down.
Acid reflux is so tricky because it can make you feel a lot of funny things which anxiety turns into a big monster.
sameee heree
I can not believe you did a video about this I really needed this.. I’ve been having so much fear about literally everything and been noticing literally every little sensation in my body
Hi! I am new to your channel. I just wanna say thank you! The topics discussed here are spot on for me. As a person who don't have access to psychiatric counselling anymore, I feel this can help me in a certain way. I am tired to be living like this, I deeply want to change. Thank you so much!
A few years ago I had convinced myself I was going to have a stroke I was having genuine feelings of pins and needles rushing down my from the top of my head down the left side of my face, I ended up ruining and family holiday and having to come home early because of it the moment I had calmed down the sensations went away. It’s crazy how strong the brain is and what it can make you feel
I feel you😢
Thank you for highlighting this. Been dealing with the health anxiety cycle for the last 10 months and your videos have really helped me retrain my thinking and focus on being less sensitive to sensations
Thank you so much for everything you’re doing. I’ve been catastrophising so much at the beginning of this year. And there’s so many times when it keeps me from doing what I truly feel is important. And whenever I do, your voice of reason as well as the tools I’ve gained help to bring mine back out.
This is soo me. I am not afraid to die from a disease, I am so afraid to get a disease which is not deadly but diminishes your life quality greatly so I can't work and provide for the ones I love anymore...
This was golden, I've never heard it put so clearly before it finally makes sense but not only that I feel like I can finally have control cause now I have knowledge. Thank you for these videos.
You nailed me to a tee! So glad to hear that these things that I have dealt with almost all of my life actually have names. Also, REALLY liked the suggestions you gave for dealing with this problem. I have "saved" this and plan to watch it several times. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise with the public and for FREE (unheard of these days). I hope you are repaid times ten in many ways, especially in health and happiness!
I’m not sure how I found your channel but so thankful I did. I have watched several of them now and they have really helped me. I especially liked the series on panic/anxiety. I had my first panic attack in 2016 and unfortunately never had anyone explain what would bring it on (cause) or how to help it from happening again. I have done a lot of my own research over the years that has helped me, but I truly appreciate all the wisdom you gave in your videos. It is very reassuring for someone who has felt that kind of fear. Thank you!
I literally do all of these things & I didn’t even realize I was doing it. Thank you so much for this video Emma!!
Well said Emma. I really enjoyed your thoughts on anxiety since I suffer from unfounded anxiety.
Dr. McAdam - Thank you so much for this video! It hit key points that I have been trying to work through on my anxiety journey. Lately, I have been experiencing some brain fog/clarity issues that tend to result in some tension-related headaches. It's really concerned me over the last few weeks, but I know that it is just my anxiety. Each of your key points are exactly what I have been ruminating on in the past and are things that I plan to address moving forward. I really appreciate your thoughtfulness in sharing all of this information!
I'm in a anxiety support group on Facebook and someone suggested your channel. I have a severe panic disorder and health anxiety. Thanks for taking the time to make these videos.
Really powerful video. I really like the point about becoming aware of the stories we tell ourselves when anxiety hits. Thank you for the video! 🙏
Thank you sooo much. I still call it Hypochondria. This is exactly what I needed to see. I have fears like any normal person but I do feel like since the beginning of the pandemic it has elevated greatly. I see it in reverse though, whenever anyone is sick I automatically think of Covid and then I fear exposure.
Perfect timing ! This is exactly what I'm dealing with right now
Thank you so much for this video! I thought I was alone and didn’t know there was a name to all the worrying. I’m extremely glad I discovered your content!!
I am so thankful I found your channel. You are helping me navigate the scary world of living with anxiety. Thank you!
This is a well done introduction with useful strategies for health anxiety. Thanks. Health anxiety falls under the OCD umbrella. I did a lot of ERP work this summer while in a PHP program because of health anxiety disorder. Thankfully I'm on the other side of it at the moment. To all who struggle with Health Anxiety, I wish you well!
Thank you for this. I have been struggling with anxiety and physical symptoms, even jumpy vision, for months. You describe me perfectly, I have had so many tests and the specialists tell me it is anxiety but my mind won't accept it. This gives me some ways to try to win the battle.
Ah, this video was made for me. It is so soothing simply to hear you express that you totally understand what it's like. I have struggled with this for over 20 years.
Health anxiety has ruined my life, its torturous. Its like my brain is attacking itself and someone else is forcing these thoughts into my head.
I've been formally diagnosed with GAD and Hypochondria for many many years. I've never read (and I've read a lot) or being introduced to anything this good! You're amazing. You're clear and give off a sense of peace. Wow. I've subscribed to your KZhead AND podcast! Thank you so much for this.
I was exposed to toxic mold over 20 years ago and I’ve never been the same. I feel like I have ptsd from the trauma of it all. Lost everything. It’s hard d to separate whether or not it’s me or my environment. Thankyou for doing a video on this.
im so happy i found your channel this year i have really been struggling with my anxiety and especially my health anxiety and its been making me depressed :(
Thank you so much for this - I've dealt with health anxiety for years and get nothing but judgment whenever I try to talk about it. Really appreciate your straightforward, non-judgmental approach 💕
This is just what I needed right now as my anxiety has gotten worse again. Thank you!
My health anxiety has been playing up these past few days in preparation for a doctors appointment next week, I really, really needed this today so thank you! This calmed me down a lot 😊
do you have bipolar
I suffer from health anxiety since I was a child. Didn't help that, few years ago, both my brother and mom were diagnosed with cancer, and just recently my mom passed away after her one year fight. I'm constantly sure there's something wrong with me, with my heart, with my lungs. My brain, you name it. Right now I'm here crying because I'm so convinced I'm severely ill and, to top it all, no one cares, they only care to make me feel crazy, to make me feel like I'm exaggerating. I'm just a burden and a bother. Have seen better days, and I wish I would get better again, living trapped inside this mentality is exhausting. I feel at my limit.
This was such a helpful video. I subscribed to your channel and have watched several of your videos. I have health anxiety and it's very comforting to learn how to live less fearful from you.
Really struggled with anxiety over the years, it's been a game-changer for me to regard it as a kid throwing a tantrum. I make a quick assessment of the situation and then I move on with intention. It's much better but that annoying kid grew quite stubborn with how many times I gave in to it!
Oh my gosh thank you, this was helpful!!!
Needed to hear this today ❤ recently watched my mum pass of cancer and my health anxiety is actually getting in the way of me grieving because I’m constantly worrying that I now have cancer and I’m terrified of going through what my mum went through. So selfish and it’s so time I sorted this awful debilitating condition out and started living my life. Thoughts go out to everyone that experiences this. We’ve got this!!
this is my problem! i witnessed my dad pass away due to a stress induced heart attack and now, i can't grieve because I'm constantly anxious about my heart and it's health. it's been 5 months and it's just so so exhausting to feel like this. i hope things get better for you and i soon.
I've recently been through a very similar situation. My stepmom, who I knew since I was 11 (I'm now 22) and had grown very close to, passed away last year from cancer. She was home the entire time, surrounded by family and friends, all the way until her very last breath. She was the stay at home mom while my mom worked and parented when she was able, so she literally raised me throughout the most crucial years of my development, and now she's gone. My health anxiety and general anxiety has gotten so bad that I can't function anymore, and am hopeless and scared for my future. I'm working towards getting better -- I'm seeing a medication psychiatrist, lining up to get therapy and giving myself time and grace to work on myself. It's incredibly difficult and frustrating, and some days I don't feel like I'm ever gonna get out of it. My hope is waning, but I hold onto the fact that it will get better.
Same, nursed my lovely dad at home with mouth cancer. This was over 8 years ago. These past two years I’ve worried I have breast cancer , cancerous mole, this Christmas I’ve had a dry mouth and my tongue had a canker for about 3 days, canker went away but still have dry mouth which I know could be from anxiety, menopause but no , Mrs self diagnosis has decided it must be what my dad had. My poor sister always gets canker sores, debilitating ones . She’s had so much done but told she has to live with it and she works in a hospital and just gets on with it . I’m useless , I just think of my lovely dad , I don’t want to leave my kids, my mam ,my husband , I’m literally terrified of getting something I can’t deal with because I have panic attacks . My attacks give my constant diarrhoea,tears and palpitations,shakes, To be fair google says it could be anxiety 😮 no sh*t ! Menopause is another but Mrs doom and gloom likes to go for the jugular and think the very worst. My brain just keeps thinking something is going to go wrong soon, a close aunties death last year then my daughter lost a baby in early pregnancy and guess who was her rock? Me , I went to hospital visits with her, I told her mammy is here and everything will be ok ,I held her hand and I kept calm , how can I be so good for her but useless for myself . Writing this has been like therapy. I’m making a deal , from now on no more google and no torches pointed into my mouth. As I write this I know it’s all in my head , I’m still so anxious but haven’t slept properly since before Christmas and cant stay off the toilet , but writing this and seeing it in black and white , well, tomorrow I’m going for a long walk , im going to start a new hobby , I’m going to sing loudly to the radio ,I’m going to beat this . We all have to beat this crazy way of thinking . Only I can fix this , only me .
I have already saved this video in my "Watch Later" playlist cause I definitely need to listen to these wisdom words again and again until I somehow comprehend them! I am planning to use KZhead and watch your videos every time health anxiety thoughts penetrate my mind, but KZhead is a huge source of anxiety for me and if I attempt to watch one video of yours, then the algorithm will interfere and suggest me a bunch of stressful things before I even hurry up and turn my smartphone off.
I can't say how much i love this. I had a horrible week feeling ill. Ive been working on myself for almost a year with ocd and anxiety and id done well. Then i relapsed. But this video is a big reminder to get back on track cause sometimes when you're taking too much whether its stress from work/a break up/life's "downs" etc...its hard to see clearly....THANK YOU MISS
it's been diabetes,tumors,kindey stones,rabies,covid,and cancers etc. for me for the past years..I think it's getting worse for me..I'm afraid of going to the doctor cause what if they really find something wrong. 😭😭😭
every time I feel really anxious, I get a bit of stomach pain then I will think that I have cancer 😭
2 weeks before I left for a trip to China I had this fear of one of my parents dying. I sat them both down and talked to them about it. While I was gone, my dad took his life. This has made it very difficult for me when intense fears come up because I don't know if it's anxiety or some sort of premonition.
So sorry for your loss.
My condolences 😞 I’m sorry
I’m so sorry that happened that is so unfair to you. I hope you are managing ok and I totally understand why you would have fears about that!
Jesus this is genuinely one of the saddest things I’ve ever read. I am SO SORRY Meg. I wish you nothing but the best for the rest of your life