Health Anxiety

@Tracey1971Welcome to the forum Tracey. For me it was always cancer that freaked me out. The smallest thing wrong with me and I would start to panic, thinking if I went to a doctor they would tell me it was cancer. It just scared the hell out of me! Then, almost 2 years ago I was diagnosed with prostate cancer at 51, purely from a joke I made to my GP during appointment for something unrelated and very simple. I was extremely lucky that it was found when it was as I was told I didn't have much time to spare. It made me realise that the fear and anxiety of getting some horrible disease is far, far worse than actually dealing with it if it happens.

I totally understand how bad anxiety and fear can be sooo hard to put aside and do things we know we should do so I really hope my story hasn't made yours worse. But I hope it may help you convince yourself just enough to maybe get your health checked, if only just to try and get some relief from those fears. It may also help to see a counselor or psychologist and talk to them about it. i know it's helped me to deal with my current health challenges. Not solved them by any means, but it helps. One of the things they told me was that constantly worrying about things that may happen is usually worse than dealing with whatever does happen. I've certainly found that is the case in the past 18 months. I'm also told my habit of assuming the worst doesn't help so I do understand totally just how difficult it is to put aside the fear and panic when it's this bad. I hope you can find a way to get some peace from it soon, and hopefully some reassurance about your health as well.

Morning @Tracey1971 @MJG017

Firstly @MJG017 that was a really excellent post you just did and really covered everything and more that I would try to cobble together as a reply. All I can say @Tracey1971 is please listen to what @MJG017 has said, try and put aside your fears at the doctors, it doesn't do you any favours. There is a thing called "whitecoat fear" where your BP instantly peaks at the doctors, I know it happens to me with my BP spiking to 205/120 on occassions at the doctors. But let him do all the tests he needs to do to allay your fears, there is no point worrying about stuff until you have all the facts. Be brave, you can do it........Asgard