My health anxiety will probably always be around

[bin_tenn]

I'm not where I used to be, and I'm glad for that. I do still experience the health related intrusive thoughts from time to time, however. That doesn't mean I'm "in a bad place", or that I have to suffer. It just means I need to be aware of what my mind is doing, where it's going, and keep it in check. That's really not so bad once you get the hang of it.

Many of you probably know my worst anxiety has long revolved around the idea of heart related issues. Yes, I still think about it sometimes. I've had a few minor, short lived panic attacks recently. I can actively observe my mind jumping into that mode of "oh noes, something must be wrong with my heart!" What does *not* happen, however, is a spiral into the depths of health anxiety. I recognize the thoughts, I accept them, and I force myself into a rational mindset. I almost never go to Google to reassure myself, but instead I just remind myself that this time is no different from any other panic attack - big or small.

It's just something I need to deal with. I accept that, and I plan to keep working hard to improve, for my sake and my family's sake. It's rough sometimes, but luckily I have a great support system - at home and on here.

Just wanted to share these thoughts. Feel free to chime in, whether you agree or disagree with anything I've said. Take care!

 

[Angelx]

I'm not where I used to be, and I'm glad for that. I do still experience the health related intrusive thoughts from time to time, however. That doesn't mean I'm "in a bad place", or that I have to suffer. It just means I need to be aware of what my mind is doing, where it's going, and keep it in check. That's really not so bad once you get the hang of it.

Many of you probably know my worst anxiety has long revolved around the idea of heart related issues. Yes, I still think about it sometimes. I've had a few minor, short lived panic attacks recently. I can actively observe my mind jumping into that mode of "oh noes, something must be wrong with my heart!" What does *not* happen, however, is a spiral into the depths of health anxiety. I recognize the thoughts, I accept them, and I force myself into a rational mindset. I almost never go to Google to reassure myself, but instead I just remind myself that this time is no different from any other panic attack - big or small.

It's just something I need to deal with. I accept that, and I plan to keep working hard to improve, for my sake and my family's sake. It's rough sometimes, but luckily I have a great support system - at home and on here.

Just wanted to share these thoughts. Feel free to chime in, whether you agree or disagree with anything I've said. Take care!

I think that takes incredible strength and psychological resilience. Maybe someday I’ll get to that place too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Alwayshere]

I'm not where I used to be, and I'm glad for that. I do still experience the health related intrusive thoughts from time to time, however. That doesn't mean I'm "in a bad place", or that I have to suffer. It just means I need to be aware of what my mind is doing, where it's going, and keep it in check. That's really not so bad once you get the hang of it.

Many of you probably know my worst anxiety has long revolved around the idea of heart related issues. Yes, I still think about it sometimes. I've had a few minor, short lived panic attacks recently. I can actively observe my mind jumping into that mode of "oh noes, something must be wrong with my heart!" What does *not* happen, however, is a spiral into the depths of health anxiety. I recognize the thoughts, I accept them, and I force myself into a rational mindset. I almost never go to Google to reassure myself, but instead I just remind myself that this time is no different from any other panic attack - big or small.

It's just something I need to deal with. I accept that, and I plan to keep working hard to improve, for my sake and my family's sake. It's rough sometimes, but luckily I have a great support system - at home and on here.

Just wanted to share these thoughts. Feel free to chime in, whether you agree or disagree with anything I've said. Take care!

Can I ask how long it took you to accept these thoughts without worrying about them all the time? I know not everyday is perfect but I’m at the point where I need to learn to change my thinking and not freak out or worry every time I feel a physical symptom, and need to stop thinking the worse. Sometimes it just feels hard to do and doubt I will ever stop worrying..

 

[bin_tenn]

I think that takes incredible strength and psychological resilience. Maybe someday I’ll get to that place too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Keep working at it, and don't stop trying new techniques. It may take seeing a therapist, who can help you apply those techniques to your specific situation. That's what made it "click" for me.

Can I ask how long it took you to accept these thoughts without worrying about them all the time? I know not everyday is perfect but I’m at the point where I need to learn to change my thinking and not freak out or worry every time I feel a physical symptom, and need to stop thinking the worse. Sometimes it just feels hard to do and doubt I will ever stop worrying..

As I mentioned above, it really "clicked" for me when I finally spoke with a therapist. I went to a handful of sessions, and she really helped put things into perspective. Not only in understanding the how and why these thoughts occur, but also understanding how to apply the common techniques (e.g. CBT) to my individual case of anxiety. That was only over the course of a few months. However, I've been applying various techniques since well before that time, so I'd say over the past two years is when things started to improve noticeably for me.

It's not so much about stopping the thoughts as it is changing how you react to the thoughts. Ask most anyone who doesn't have anxiety disorder, and if they're honest, they'll admit that they've thought many times about death. They've wondered if some sensation they've felt may indicate a serious problem (e.g. cancer, heart, whatever else). The difference between that person (without anxiety disorder) and you, or myself, is that they react appropriately. They don't hang on to that thought and wonder constantly if it means anything. Instead, they make a mental note of it, they keep an eye on it for a week or two, and things get better so they forget about it.

Have you researched CBT and the techniques commonly used to change the way you react to these sensations? This is very common - hallmark health anxiety. Instead of allowing the thoughts to run wild, challenge them. Reinforce them with positive thoughts. "Ouch, my chest hurts - must be a heart at..." - "YOU SHUT RIGHT THE FUDGE UP!" Know what I mean? Acknowledge the negative thoughts, allow them to rent some space in your mind for a bit, but don't bother with them. Don't entertain them. They will leave soon enough. That's what I've learned to do.

It definitely takes a lot of patience and effort on your part, but it's very much worth it.

 

[Iugrad91]

They say that you can’t change your thoughts, only how you react to them. That is key to overcoming anxiety. You can’t stop the thoughts but you take the power away by realizing they are not telling you the truth and let them go. Over and over if you have to until they stop trying to convince you otherwise.

 

[Walking Circles]

Sounds like you're really doing well, glad to hear it. I'm better in some respects but worse in others. I've accepted that my health anxiety will likely always be with me, but that doesn't mean I have to let it own me.

 

[bin_tenn]

They say that you can’t change your thoughts, only how you react to them. That is key to overcoming anxiety. You can’t stop the thoughts but you take the power away by realizing they are not telling you the truth and let them go. Over and over if you have to until they stop trying to convince you otherwise.

Yeah, that exactly it. And I try to point that out to fellow anxiety sufferers. It's perfectly okay to think these thoughts. What's abnormal is how we react to the thoughts.

Sounds like you're really doing well, glad to hear it. I'm better in some respects but worse in others. I've accepted that my health anxiety will likely always be with me, but that doesn't mean I have to let it own me.

Yep, that's right! You don't always have to be anxious, but you do need to learn how to manage the thoughts/behaviors appropriately.