Health Anxiety

@healtha

It's good that you are getting tests to see if you can rule out any physical health issues.

Have you looked at strategies when you feel anxious?

Are you having panic attacks?

Have you considered any side affects that comes with taking medications? There are other alternate medications to take for OCD. I know myself that sometimes certain medications has physical effects.

I implore you to give psychologist another chance. Sometimes it takes time to find the right fit for you.

have a look at the link to see if you can find someone that may specialise with OCD.

https://www.psychology.org.au/Find-a-Psychologist

Hey there @healtha thank you for posting. Wondering how you've been travelling since your last message? I am sorry to hear about this loop of anxiety. I certainly have experience this myself and no doubt have many others in the community. I think some of the self-directed CBT can be really helpful with these thought patterns. A quick pause and step back so we can reflect on our thoughts being just that as they are, thoughts. They are not factual in every instance. Another great public speaker who talks about this a lot of Eckhart Tolle of course, it takes practice but it does help 🧡 Let us know how you are travelling.

Hi Nashy,

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Things have unfortunately taken a turn for the worse for me since my initial post. I took myself to hospital on thursday night because I felt a sudden weakness down my left hand side which I thought was a stroke. The Drs did some tests and they then said to get a CT scan. About an hour later, they changed their mind after speaking to their colleagues and sent me for an outpatient MRI which is not until the 5th October. I spent most of yesterday in bed which constant thoughts racing through my head about what happens if something happens to me between now and the 5th October. It is taking a very huge toll on me because my whole body feels weak and tired which makes me think there is something else wrong with me like multiple sclerosis or something similar.

I am in a never ending fight against my physical sensations and thoughts at the moment and I dont know how to get out of it.

Hi Jem80,

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my post. The problem is when I am anxious and have these types of thoughts about my health, they become so overwhelming that anything I try doesnt work. It feels like a broken record with these messages. My anxiety levels build and build to levels where they just take over. Right now, my whole body feels tired and weak, which makes me think there is something more sinister at play.

I have tried CBT in the past, but the issue I have is I cant implement any techniques suggested via CBT when I am in an anxious state., My thoughts take over and all the stuff I have learned goes out the window.

Hey there @healtha,

I'm sorry to hear your anxiety can be so overwhelming it's hard to implement the strategies that you've learnt. It's great you have reached out here to connect. I wanted to jump in to encourage you to put an @ in front of members' usernames. For example @Former-Member and @jem80. That way they will get notified of your post mentioning them 😊

@healtha

Have you considered listening to music or wrapping yourself in a blanket or doona or having some water to drink to stay hydrated?