Friends, Family & Carers Forum

[beyondlost478]

Hello all, I am writing this as my first post to see if anyone has any coping mechanisms on how to train an overworking brain with health anxiety. I have dealt with this for the past two years, recently after the passing of two immediate family members over 4 years ago. I am the type of person who does not allow my emotions because I thought everyone was busy with their lives and that I would just burden them with my thoughts, so I would suppress my emotions and cap them. It has developed worse when I would constantly go back to the doctors or emergency department for reassurance and even when the doctors said I was all clear, I was at home thinking they missed something. I was hyper-aware of all these "symptoms" in my body and thought for the worst and I would constantly google my symptoms (as one would do). I have stopped going out because I thought the house was my "only safe space" and fear that if i go out, something bad would happen. I am seeing a counselor via video every month. I have tried the whole journalling, listening to peaceful music, telling myself it is anxiety, but I feel like i am failing and my mind is feel like i am isolated from the world.

[Jynx]

Hey @beyondlost478 - I can relate to what you're going through cos I have also struggled wth health anxiety. It's really rough. Nothing like getting the 'all clear' from a test or something and having people say 'Oh that's great that they didn't find anything!' but inside I'm more frustrated than ever! 

It is great that you're seeing a counsellor and working on things, and by even putting effort in, it means you're not failing at all n my eyes! It takes time to untangle these thoughts. 

I hope you start to see some changes soon, and get to connect with others here who can help you feel less alone in your experiences 💜