Every ache or pain I think I’m dying..

[Brielle]

Hi everyone. I am new here. I have suffered from health anxiety in the past when I was younger and it went away as I got older. It is now about 10 years later and I’m 22 years old. My health anxiety just recently started again, I think it is due to me being inside 24/7 because of the virus. The first thing that gave me extreme anxiety and caused me not to sleep for days was a lump in my breast. I went to the doctor and she said that I have fibroid cystic breasts and that it is okay. I found myself to be very relieved and relaxed. The next day I started thinking, “what if my doctor is wrong?” I have also had major anxiety about the coronavirus. I am overweight and smoke cigarettes and am terrified of dying if I get the virus. I am also scared for my parents. I woke up today and my throat hurts a little bit. I have convinced myself I have the virus and have had major anxiety all day. It’s almost like if I am not worrying about something then my brain will find a symptom or make one up for me to worry about. I am sorry this is long. I just want someone to talk to.

 

[Guitarist41]

It’s an Anxiety disorder.... this is what it does. You’re 22 years old... it is HIGHLY unlikely you have anything wrong with you. Not that it would hurt to stop smoking and get in better physical shape. Ask yourself this... why am I STILL smoking ? If you want to fear anything, fear that!
As far as the rest... look up and down the hypochondria forum... do you see how many symptoms we cause ourselves? From normal, to strange, to completely ludicrous (not that they aren’t real to them). You have to be sick of torturing yourself with unhealthy thoughts, and want to change!

 

[Brielle]

This really helped me a lot. Thank you so much for replying.