Terrible health anxiety

[Jmarie96]

Hi everyone. I’m struggling a lot with my anxiety. I take lexapro for anxiety and depression but as of lately it does not seem to be helping. School has been intense as I’m just about to start grad school. I had a recent death in the family that has really taken a toll. I’m exhausted and feel like every day I am diagnosing myself with something or convincing myself I am having an allergic reaction to something I ate when I do not have allergies. Tonight I found a bump on the back of my head. I don’t know if it’s always been there or what but it sent me into a frenzy of searching online and now I cannot sleep because I’ve convinced myself that I have a brain tumor and if I go to sleep I will die in my sleep.
Every day I live my life in fear of cancer, diabetes, tumors, aneurysms etc. I don’t really know what to do anymore.
I am 23 years old and anxiety is taking over my life. Nobody understands it my parents think I’m insane and overreacting...”mind over matter.” What do I do to feel some control over this?
I’m aware that my thoughts are irrational however this does not help. It further depresses me.

 

[triceps]

Hi and welcome Jmarie. I have to leave and will respond again later but just wanted to let you know you're not alone with your feelings and everyone here understands them.

 

[Rosy]

Hi Jmarie, You are not alone in this. I get something in my head and it is so hard to get it out. I'm going through it now. Anxiety does it to us. As your anxiety lessens it will too. I quit googling pains and feelings. All it did was make it worse. I'm not saying they are bad sites it just gets someone with anxiety all fussed up. Hoping you feel better soon.

 

[triceps]

Hi again Jmarie. Are you able to move that bump around or can you tell that it is just under your scalp? Regardless, we realize how difficult it is to get those thoughts of doom out of your head. We're here to help any way we can.