How to cope with Hypochondria?

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Hey everyone! I have a question... every day there seems to be a new research study linking cancer, or other life-threatening diseases to common issues... whether it be cell phone usage, poor dental hygiene, wearing a bra, eating fattening foods, etc. While some have been discredited, new ideas come out on such a regular basis, it's amazing that not everyone gets cancer in the first place!

That said, I have become quite a hypochondriac. Now, I'm not one who runs to the doctor for every little thing.. in fact, I have fears about going to the doctor, afraid I'll be told I have a life-threatening illness. I'm only 19-years old, and I know this fear of going to the doctor is not going to be a healthy practice, BUT I can't help my fear. I think part of this is due to the fact my older brother passed away at the age of 18, so now I also fear of dying young as well.

So..... I was wondering: If you are a hypochondriac, how do you cope? Being a college student, I do not need the added stress of thinking I'm dying, on top of my assignments and work and such... plus, the pure fact of stressing, isn't healthy in itself. So how do you keep yourself from going crazy, or thinking you have every disease in the book?

Please help... I always tend to catch these breaking health reports in the late evening, and am so busy stressing, that I end up stay up until 3AM until I can try to distract myself from my fears so I can actually fall asleep.

Help!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Basically you are suffering from an anxiety disorder. Upon closer examination you may find that you "stress" or have obsessions about other things.
General rule of thumb is that if you cannot cope or it is completely interferring with you day to day life you need to see a doc. Perhaps simple counseling could work. Someone to bounce things off, coupled with healthy diet and exercise before you go on the "med" route.

I think everyone stresses a tad here and there about their health from time to time.

From Wikipedia....

Hypochondria (or hypochondriasis, sometimes referred to as health anxiety or health phobia) is a somatoform disorder in which one has the unfounded belief that one is suffering from a serious illness. Hypochondria is often characterized by irrational fears of being diseased/dying, obsessions over minor bodily symptoms or imperfections, doubt and disbelief in doctors' diagnosis, constant self-examination and self-diagnosis and preoccupation with one's body. Hypochondriacs often require constant reassurance, sometimes from multiple doctors, family and friends.
Hypochondria is often associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety, and can also be brought on by stress.

 

[heart4pooh]

I am working with my 8 yr old son on similar issues. There are books out there with excellent strategies. I have the Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Edmond Bourne. It is great, but I found a great book that addresses hypochondria and anxiety in children. PM me and I will send the Workbook out to you. I'd rather give it to someone who needs it, than have it gather dust.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I diagree. I think panic and anxiety disorders are quite different from hypochondria.

There is a DISer on here that is an admitted hyperchondriac who may be able to help you. I don't remember her name off the top of my head.

 

[Christine]

I am an admitted hypochondriac. LindseyDunn, maybe you were referring to me?? I think there are a few of us here.

Anyway, I do see someone for it.

I will tell you first off, hypochondria is considered part of an anxiety disorder. Not necessarily panic disorder, but definitely anxiety. Hypochondria is the manifestation of *your* anxiety disorder. Some people have panic, some people have depression, some people cut themselves, some people have hypochondria.

Hypochondria is one of the most difficult anxiety disorders to cure. It occurs in intelligent people who *think* to much and possess the intelligence to analzye health symptoms (a backhanded compliment, I know ).

OP--you are correct in that the media has created a whole new generation of people with health anxiety. Heck, anytime I get a small cut now, I'm worried sick that I'm going to get and MRSA-infected wound! This I learned in Redbook!

My doctor has told me to STOP READING THIS STUFF. They are sensationalized articles intended to boost magazine sales and scare people into reading them. But I am an avid reader--it is hard. Hard to get past these articles when you are just looking for good recipes you know?

Anyway, the best thing to do for this is to try to get your stress levels down if you can. You can also go see a psychiatrist for this. Taking a medication such a Prozac can really help with the obsessive thinking. I've tried them and they do work with the ruminative thoughts; however, I cannot tolerate the side effects AT ALL so I cannot use them. Too bad because I find them quite helpful with this.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I am an admitted hypochondriac. LindseyDunn, maybe you were referring to me?? I think there are a few of us here.

I honestly don't remember if it was you or not

 

[texaslassie]

I'm 43 and a total hypochondriac. I've been this way since I was around 6years old. I've been on prozac for 12 years. I've tried to quit taking it several times and I just couldn't cope.

If I see something weird on my body, or if my body isn't quite acting right I tend to think the worst. My latest obsession was a pulmony embolism . I was having right sided chest pain.

I went to an internist and got a ct scan, and a nuclear stress test. After spending 1300.00 Diagnosis...Anxiety.

I don't know why prozac doesn't help with the anxiety. I do take xanax when certain situations have me all wound up, but can't take it on a regular basis due to chemical dependence.

Hang in there though. Maybe once you get through school it will subside some.