Health anxiety - really rough!

Anoneemoose

Just because you know you suffer from it, doesn't mean you know what to do. Health anxiety (or hypochondria) makes symptoms feel as real as having the actual illness you think it is. Maybe if the GP diagnosed it sooner, OP may have had help before now, lessening the need for having to take up appointments. Hypochondria is portrayed as some joke, when in fact, it is a serious condition.

Cheeseface

moneyistooshorttomention Does the part where the OP had their testes checked not give you a clue to their gender?

[Deleted User]

Mrs_Ryan wrote: »

I have health anxiety linked to my cancer, mostly due to the fact that on the two occasions I had something seriously wrong (cancer diagnosis and gallstones) I was told there was nothing wrong- one GP told me I had trapped wind and to go away and relax- two days later I was rushed into hospital with a temperature of 40, a heart rate of nearly 200 and agonising stomach pain. I was in hospital for four days on IV antibiotics and then my gallbladder was removed a week later when a scan showed it was in a right mess. My cancer was dismissed as 'all in my head' a biopsy though showed it wasn't and the hospital had to issue a formal apology.
I've had psychiatric input, CBT, psychotherapy and everything but it's been a toughie to get over. One thing I would say is don't google your symptoms- it makes things a million times worse. Good luck!

When I was taken to A&E with a heart arrhythmia in 2014 I was sent home by doctors who thought I was an anxious neurotic who was having a panic attack. I was forced to call a second ambulance later the same day, but they still thought it was anxiety so they just left me to "calm down" until the end of the next day when someone correctly recognised my arrhythmia. All this happened after I had been diagnosed, after I had been put on regular meds, and after I had been referred for a heart operation.

I'd like to know what you're supposed to do if the NHS think you're anxious when you aren't.

hazyjo

Surprised at some of the responses. Anxiety is an awful thing to live with - especially with worries about your health. I certainly don't begrudge them an appointment (or 20 if it comes to that). Same as I wouldn't begrudge someone suffering from depression or just feeling emotional - I wonder how many of these comments accusing you of timewasting and not having something physically wrong would be telling you to pull yourself together if depressed, or to exercise more.


I do suffer with health anxiety but have never spoken with a doctor - mainly after losing loads of family, family friends and friends' parents to cancer. I feel your pain.


Jx