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All in my head (fake illness))

Unknown userMember04 May 2017, 7:53 am AEST

All in my head (fake illness))

As long as I can remember I've always thought any illness I heard about I had.

At a young age if 7 my first memory I heard about aids and really had zero clue how you got it except if you got it you died. I asked an adult and obviously they aren't ready to have the bees and bird talk with me and they said you would get it from dirty things. So omg I sleept in someone else's bed sheets at a sleep over I must have aids because I don't know how clean they are. I would spend every night crying and saying to myself if I don't vomit in 2 weeks I don't have it. So I spend nights freaking out and crying.

This has trickled to my adult hood. I can not watch one doctor show. Omg they are the worse. I went through a season of Google doctor I made my self so sick with panic I lost 15 kg in two months from being violently ill. Then in my mid teens I started getting the panic attacks and truly believing I was dying.

At the moment my bipolar is stable which means hello anxiety for me. So if I see white powder on the road I run away from it being a forgine item. If I smell something funny I stop breathing as I think it's a toxic gas.

Last night I put out a mini bin fire because it was lit due to a cigarette. Now I'm believing the smoke is toxic and I'm going to be ill with a lung problem in the next week. So I'm now on V and giving myself the rules if I don't cough I'm fine.

Does anyone else suffer from this badly?
Like I know it's stupid I can say that but my pariond side won't budge. I'm really over it. Anyone got healthy ways to get ove it?

32 replies

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In response to: All in my head (fake illness))

utopiaSenior Contributor04 May 2017, 1:37 pm AEST

Re: All in my head (fake illness))

@Former-Member. That sounds really hard to have to deal with. There would be so many triggers in this world that could get you super anxious about your health.
I think @outlander has some experience with this. Sorry if I'm wrong outlander.
I'm not sure who else. But I hope others write here and can give you some support.
All the best

In response to: All in my head (fake illness))

outlanderSenior Contributor04 May 2017, 1:40 pm AEST

Re: All in my head (fake illness))

I do have experience in this @utopia

@Former-Member ill write a better response when i can just dealing with something atm but i want u to know your not alone and i have read your post

In response to: All in my head (fake illness))

outlanderSenior Contributor04 May 2017, 1:41 pm AEST

Re: All in my head (fake illness))

Also its called health anxiety @Former-Member

In response to: Re: All in my head (fake illness))

outlanderSenior Contributor04 May 2017, 2:46 pm AEST

Re: All in my head (fake illness))

ok now i can reply to you @Former-Member

it definently sounds like Health anxiety.. have you spoken to your gp or a psychologist about this as they would have healthy ways to help you as well.
I also have health anxiety and its quite difficult and overwhelming to deal with all the time, esp with so many triggers. It also sounds like you have abit of paranoia as well which wouldnt be helping that either. So I do recommend speaking to a health professional as well

I find I cant watch drs shows much either cause if something matches me or its possible sometimes if its really clsoe to my symptoms its like almost self diagnosing it that I have it which usually isnt the case and its our minds playing with us abit

I can definently say its hard to deal with and it will take time to work through what works for you
im wondering if you have any coping strategies rather than trying to think about it 24/7?
I can give you a few that may or may not work but could definently be worth a shot for you to help reduce some of those health anxieties as well

In response to: Re: All in my head (fake illness))

outlanderSenior Contributor04 May 2017, 2:57 pm AEST

Re: All in my head (fake illness))

http://www.cpft.nhs.uk/Downloads/DVD-Documents/Leaflets/Coping%20with%20health%20anxiety2%20final.pdf

i definently reccomend you reading this save it to your computer and read it and focus on it. it explains what it is, how it affects you physically and mentally and also have coping strategies and examples and things as well. @Former-Member

In response to: All in my head (fake illness))

Unknown userMember04 May 2017, 3:35 pm AEST

Re: All in my head (fake illness))

Thank you so much for your reply @outlander

No I have never mentioned it to a doctor or anyone before besides my husband of just late. He feels really sad for me that I grew up with this but could not tell people because if I mention it I will get it. Omg sounds so dumb writhing it.

Reason I have never mentioned it with a doctor or health career is because when ever I see someone I don't seem to be suffering from it. I can go years with out it then omg it hits.

My coping strategys is to stay of Google and watch funny DVDs and stay very very busy.

In response to: All in my head (fake illness))

outlanderSenior Contributor04 May 2017, 4:34 pm AEST

Re: All in my head (fake illness))

Well health anxiety is a very real thing @Former-Member
And its not too easy to manage.
You dont have to be sufferring from it when u doeak to your gp but i do think you should make them aware. They can give you the proper diagnosis as well and the right services to see and speak too
Its not dumb at all i find the same thing and if im worried about something ill research the crap out of it though im learning to control that now

I think you should take a look at that link i sent you. I think it would give you a better understanding of what it is and how it can affect you. It also has a few coping strategies as well with examples so you csn follow along with it as your doing your own exercise
Happy to answet anymore questions and keep chatting as well

In response to: All in my head (fake illness))

Unknown userMember04 May 2017, 10:24 pm AEST

Re: All in my head (fake illness))

I had a read of it and I just didn't feel I 100% feel into the category. Like at the moment I am actually ill and was hospitalised over the weekend and getting lots of tests done and most likely will need surgery. And yes I'm scared of the surgery but I'm not afraid of being ill at the moment. I'm just board and over it. Like if I had health anxiety wouldn't I be freaking out the worst about actually having something that can be life threading wrong with me?

I will though mention it to a phycatrist when I get the courage to see one again. I just hate it because it's the most bizarre thing that just comes and goes. Like my whole brain knows it's stupid I'm healthy but then a voice of doubt comes from I don't know where and sets pure fear into me.

In response to: All in my head (fake illness))

outlanderSenior Contributor05 May 2017, 8:30 am AEST

Re: All in my head (fake illness))

Hmm im.not too sure you have to get a diagnosis from your gp or a psychiatrist. @Former-Member
If your too scared to see a psych talk to your gp first they can help you as well and set you on the right path as well.
Maybe when you do get those thoughts about your health and you know its unlikeley you could try challanging them...?

In response to: All in my head (fake illness))

Unknown userMember05 May 2017, 11:57 am AEST

Re: All in my head (fake illness))

Yeah na my doctor is a gp as good as they are they don't know everything about mental health. Na to scared to challenge it. I'll just try keep busy.

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