Anyone Else a Hypochondriac?

Hi D.,

I can TOTALLY sympathize with you!!!! I NEVER worried about anything before I became a mother. Now I worry about EVERYTHING including becoming sick and leaving my baby girl motherless. I work in the medical field (administrative side)as well and the doc I work for has been so good at talking me through things and actually ordering me tests on occasion to rule out what's worrying me. I was also having some anxiety issues and he recently put me on Zoloft, which is an antidepressant, but also helps with anxiety. I'm not one to take drugs...I don't even like to take something when I have a headache, but I would recommend you give Zoloft a try. I haven't experienced any side effects and it REALLY does ease the mind and anxiety. Good luck!!!

I feel the same way as you for the most part. How do you stop doing it? I'm tired of feeling this way & feeling like there is always something wrong. I feel like the doctors are all overlooking something and no one believes that you don't feel well right? So what do we do? Anyway, I can definitely relate if you wanna talk some more... or share any suggestions. You can email me at ____@____.com too if you'd like. Take care!!

I am the same way! I'm constantly worried that I have all these horrible diseases! My husband asked me the other day if I would be happy if I did find out I was sick, then I could stop "worring" that I was sick because I'd actually be sick. hum...

I do think that part of my problem is that my kids are so little I worry that they won't have a mother.

D.-

I think you may have what is know as "med school disorder." This happens when people go to any kind of medical school (nursing...etc) and begin to learn how to recognize certain symptoms. When I was in school, I had everything from meningitis to multiple sclerosis...lol. If you talk with your classmates or instructors, you may find that many of them are going through the same thing. Don't worry, it will pass.

I understand what you are going through. Been there! It does not help that you are going to nursing school. Try not to worry too much or think about it.

i am not necessarily a hypochondriac, but i noticed that you were going to nursing school....and when i was in nursing school, i was certain every week that i or someone in my family had whatever disease or disorder i came across. i know it is a very common feeling for all medical students, and they make lots of jokes about it.....so you are not alone in that!

kudos to you for getting help to work on your anxiety stuff, and i just wanted you to know that there is a part of it that is normal for right now, sounds like the anxiety makes it a bigger thing for you.

OMG, You sound just like me. I also suffer from anxiety attacks, but not nearly as much since I have been on medication. I have had fears of dying from some disease for many years now, and the fear can debilitate you to the point that you cannot function. I moved to OH in 95 by myself with two young childen (court order) and have been so consumed with one disease that I missed out on so many memories with my children because I was worrying or depressed. I am alot better now, but although the fears are still there I am able to put my fears into perspective and to realize that I am not in control of everything in this world and just to relax it will be ok, I promise. Please email back, I would love to hear from you.

yes, i am such a worry wort. i really "try" not to be but it seems impossible. i assist dr's for about 6 years now.... learned wayyyyy to much. the more you know, the more you worry. the dr's even agree. i wish there were a pill to make the worry stop. my worry extends too far though, always worry that my hubby will find someone else, etc. if you find something that works, please enlighten me!! good luck. and it's a lil comforting to know someone is in the same boat.

I have to say, I work at hospital so I am the same way. I always worry about what illness I could have or contract. I am such a worrier, especially when it comes to my kids. I do sympathize... I always have really bad migraines and seems like any bug in a mile radius will find and bite me. I will have a chest pain and think I am about due for a heart attack or my leg will hurt and I immiediately think I need to be checked for a blood clot. ( The blood clot was started from me witnessing a man die near my registration desk from one) So needless to say my motto is if something could go wrong, it will. My husband tells me that if he had as many ailments as me he would shoot himself. (jokingly obviously)

D., I think as Mom's we are all kind of hypochondriacs. When you have kids, you worry that you won't be there to take care fof them and of course you worry about them. I think you are being to hard on yourself. Pray about it and leave it to God. J.(Mom of 3)

I personally don't have this problem, but I'm glad to hear you're going to therapy. That is definitely needed if this has become an obsessive worry for you. Do they have you on any meds? Such as an anxiety and/or depression med? Just be careful, alot of the anxiety meds are very addictive. Even though you don't think you're depressed some of the meds that are a combination type actually do really well and don't have the addictive side effects.

I did the same thing when I was in nursing school 26 years ago, trying to raise a family and go to school, it will get better...good luck!

This happens to me occaisionally but not all the time. I have found the best thing for me to do it NEVER GO TO WEB.MD. I found that you will always have some of the symptoms to everything and there is such a thing as "knowing just enough to be dangerous." So, I don't try to seek answers on my own. If myself or the kids have a health "symptom" unless it comes with a fever above 100 degrees, continuous vommitting, diahrrea, or difficulty breathing, I wait it out a week. If it is still there I call the doctor. I never try to look it up on my own. There lies the danger for me so I just avoid it altogether.

D.,

i do not have YOUR condition, but i do have needle phobia really bad! like so bad i can't even watch it on tv, etc. it is so bad it just doesn't have to do directly with me. it also involves basically anyone, more-so ones i am close to. i go into major panic attacks, etc.

believe me, i know exactly how hard it is to talk to anyone about problems of this nature, because most of whom don't have it, or have dealt with it, have no idea what it is like, and think we are ridiculous.

so on that note, though we don't share the exact prob, i can relate to you. if you ever feel like talking, you are more than welcome to write!

take care, and try to keep smiling!! talk to ya soon, if ya want.

hugs,

C.

Hey D.! Well, I'm not a hypochondriac but my fiance IS! If I have a cough, he does but it's cancer. If the kids have a cold, he does but it's pneumonia. If I have cramps, he does too. (lol) He has this issue of developing cancer with anything that happens to him. Sad thing is, he won't go see a therapist because he doesn't think it's an actual problem. It's not that bad in that it interferes with his life but it's just his statements. He's not officially diagnosed with it but I would definitely give him that diagnosis if I was a psychiatrist. I'm in nursing school also so if you need help or to talk about the stressors of schools I'm here! It's awesome that you are seeing a therapist about it. Are you taking anything for anxiety attacks? Or are you considering it? Good luck I hope the best for you and yours!

I am a huge hypochondriac. It didn't start getting bad until I got pregnant and had my son. I was on some medication for a while but it just didn't make me feel right. I'm not as bad as I was, but I still have my crazy moments and it can be so devastating. Usually when I'm stressed out with school, work or something else I tend to put my frustration into worrying about some crazy disease.

My advice would to just try and work through each episode. it's more of an internal conflict, and you just really have to focus on the nitty gritty of why you're so afraid of sickness or in my case, the worse scenario, death.

It sounds morbid and it is. But you're not alone. :)

I used to have many many fears. I did see a councilor and talked until I was blue in the face and he recommended I see a dr. who would prescribe medication for me. I was so embarrassed to think I needed medication to help me cope with my fears. I do need to mention that my fears were making my world close in on me. I found it hard to travel, or go out at night. I have been on "Buspar" (non-habit forming anxiety pill, non drowsiness) for about 13 years now and haven't had a problem since. I also want to give God all the thanks as HE led me to people who could help me.