Anyone else a self-diagnosed Hypochondriac?

[Jennasis]

Good question! I often wonder that myself. If I am diagnosing the hypochondria, is it just as irrational as diagnosing myself with the myriad of other imagined illnesses I think I have? I think this is why hypochondria is a very hard diagnosis and has such a low "cure" rate among professionals.

 

[BuckNaked]

No, but I'm a self-diagnosed split-personality.

No you're not.

Yes you are.

See?

 

[CathrynRose]

If someone is a self-diagnosed Hypochondriac, how do you know if they are really a hypocondriac, or if it's all in their mind?

Exactly!!! See what Im struggling with?!

Cuz I accidently stubbled across this test online , and took it:

http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache...ml+hypochondria+test&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=2

Annnnnd this one:


http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache...ml+hypochondria+test&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1
According to these accurate online tests, I am one.

 

[mom2boys77]

Exactly!!! See what Im struggling with?!

Cuz I accidently stubbled across this test online , and took it:

http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache...ml+hypochondria+test&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=2

Annnnnd this one:


http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache...ml+hypochondria+test&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1
According to these accurate online tests, I am one.

I really have to thank you for bringing this subject up. I just turned 30. My father had to have a triple bypass about 4 years ago when he was just 48 and since that happened I have been convinced that I have heart disease. I know the odds are in my favor but I really have made myself freak out about this. I went to the dr, she did an ekg, echocardiogram, blood work..everything was fine. I still freak myself out. The worse part of it is that I've felt completely alone. My dh doesn't want to hear it anymore. I do have zanax for when I get really afraid but then I'll go online and look up my symptoms. I feel crazy half the time and I am so tired of worrying about it. When I did look up chest pains in young women..I did see that it's pretty common in people our age. I don't really have any great advice for you but I'm glad I'm not alone and you aren't either. My biggest fear is leaving my boys without a mother. If you believe in any kind of God, trust that he'll take care of you. I hope we both find some peace. Good luck! And have an awesome trip! Barbara

 

[Christine]

CathrynRose,

Hypochondria is in the spectrum of anxiety disorders, so you may want to start there. Hypochondria is the result of whatever anxiety you are suffering; however; hypochondria has a little *twist* to it that involves a component of obsessive/compulsive behavior. For example, the real NEED to look up symptoms on the internet or in a book is a form of compulsive behavior one does to try to ameliorate the stress over the perceived threat. It's no different than those wacky people we laugh at who wash their hands 40 times before they leave the house because they are afraid of germs.

So, with that, hypochondria is a bit harder to treat that your garden variety anxiety.

I will TOTALLY agree with Jennasis in that I think hypochondria has a very low cure rate with therapy. I won't even tell you the amount of money I have spent and people I've visited who have been unable to even TOUCH the worries.

Some of my better days with this beast are when everything (and I mean everything) is going well in my life. Right now, with a teen and a pre-teen, a hellish commute, and a job that I don't like, my hypochondria is in overdrive. Then, when I get "real" health problems it is so much more magnified.

But I have had times were all was well with the world and my hypochondria has actually been non-existant.

 

[CathrynRose]

CathrynRose,

Hypochondria is in the spectrum of anxiety disorders, so you may want to start there. Hypochondria is the result of whatever anxiety you are suffering; however; hypochondria has a little *twist* to it that involves a component of obsessive/compulsive behavior. For example, the real NEED to look up symptoms on the internet or in a book is a form of compulsive behavior one does to try to ameliorate the stress over the perceived threat. It's no different than those wacky people we laugh at who wash their hands 40 times before they leave the house because they are afraid of germs.

So, with that, hypochondria is a bit harder to treat that your garden variety anxiety.

I will TOTALLY agree with Jennasis in that I think hypochondria has a very low cure rate with therapy. I won't even tell you the amount of money I have spent and people I've visited who have been unable to even TOUCH the worries.

Some of my better days with this beast are when everything (and I mean everything) is going well in my life. Right now, with a teen and a pre-teen, a hellish commute, and a job that I don't like, my hypochondria is in overdrive. Then, when I get "real" health problems it is so much more magnified.

But I have had times were all was well with the world and my hypochondria has actually been non-existant.

Gosh - its such a hard thing to deal with. I know where youre coming from. The more stressed I am, the more aches, pains and diseases I can come up with.

You know, on the way to work - before I got the leg pain, I barely remember my drive to work, because I was insistant my right eye was blurrier than my left. And it very well may be - Im due for an eye exam, but I was convinced, I was going blind.

Only to get to work and have a pain in my leg.... MS, of course.

Ive tried explaining to others that it's not "for attention" or anythign like that, I genuinely am scared, nervous and worried.

It stinks.

HUGS to all who are 'blessed' with this lovely illness.

 

[Christine]

Gosh - its such a hard thing to deal with. I know where youre coming from. The more stressed I am, the more aches, pains and diseases I can come up with.

You know, on the way to work - before I got the leg pain, I barely remember my drive to work, because I was insistant my right eye was blurrier than my left. And it very well may be - Im due for an eye exam, but I was convinced, I was going blind.

Only to get to work and have a pain in my leg.... MS, of course.

Ive tried explaining to others that it's not "for attention" or anythign like that, I genuinely am scared, nervous and worried.

It stinks.

HUGS to all who are 'blessed' with this lovely illness.

If it makes you feel better, I *have* gotten to the point where I don't think EVERYTHING is terrible. As I said earlier, my biggest problem right now is with cuts and scratches. I worry for a few days that they will get infected, but then that's it.

I have actually had so many real health problems lately, that I am no longer obsessing on the "what could it be." I think I've just been driven over the edge, KWIM?

Like today, I was driving to work and I got queasy all the way in. Once I got to work the nausea went away, but I am aching and have a headache. Not too long ago, I would have had panic attack over this and probably gone home, but I've kind of convinced myself that it is "just another bad day." So while the "aches and pains" are still there, I'm not looking for reasons for them. Well, not always... This past Sunday, I got stuck on the road for 2 hours in a little mini-snowstorm. It was slippery and stressful. By the time I got home, I had a stabbing pain in my lower back, left side. My logical side said "Christine, you were so tense in the car that you've caused your back to hurt." The nutty side of me said "Oh my God, I think I've got a kidney infection." And I truly worried about that!

 

[hydster]

I am a little bit. Sometimes more than others. Usually when I actually have too much time on my hands is when I start but my mother....oh baby!!! She can put almost anyone to shame with the award of biggest self hypochondriac!

She was just diagnosed with cataracts. Typical for people but she's not convinced she has those. She knows she has macular degeneration which she does not. She knows she is going to be blind forever, which she will not.

She has a headache..immediately it's a brain tumor. She has a pain in her breast, immediately she has breast cancer. It goes on and on and on. She saw this picture from our trip to the Key West Cemetery and has commented several times that she wants that on her headstone!



I think asking your MD about some possible panic attack drugs like Valium or Xanax would be a good idea. I hope you can go on your trip and have a great time!!!! And I'm sure you'll be just fine!