Comments on: How I Beat Hypochondria

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:36:19 +0000

Thank you. I needed this. So, thank you for taking your personal battle and making it public. I’m working really hard to get over these feelings, and people like you really help. I can relate to this more than any account I have ever read about. This fear has been more than debilitating. I can’t thank you enough.

Becky

By: Connie Evans

Connie Evans — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:19:41 +0000

Over the last few years I’ve been convinced I’ve had almost every kind of cancer. I honestly thought I was the only person suffering with this kind of fear. It started after my first child was born and has continued for 4 years, now having a child of 11mos. Today I’m waiting for a biopsy of my labia which looks like cancer to me because of my obsessive googling. I want to think that it’s nothing because every other test this year has shown nothing. Colonoscopy, ultrasounds, bloodtests, pap smears…etc. I’m ruining our life financially, we have no insurance, and I’m ruining my family time with not being able to live in the moment. I’m missing important times with my children because of fear I will die of cancer and miss the rest of it. I’m not crazy…at least I recognize this is a pattern. But that doesn’t keep my body from reacting as if someone told me I have 2 months to live. This is my life. I’m 44 years old, have an amazing life and family and I’m living in constant, all consuming fear. Thanks for letting me vent to people who understand.
Connie Evans

By: Teea

Teea — Mon, 11 May 2009 12:20:21 +0000

I think this may have been the most reassuring thing I googled. I recently found a little lump in my neck. I can only feel it with my finger and when my head is tilted. I went to see the Docter and he checked my neck and couldnt feel anything. So off I went to see another Dr who said the same thing. I still feel the pea size lump and cant think of anything else. I stop myself from feeling my whole body in search of lumps. I too lost a parent at a young age to cancer and am convinced I have it. Please help!

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:53:57 +0000

I am struggling with hypochondriasis (at least I hope..haha..typical statement from a hypochondriac, right?).. Your story is very encouraging and I think your outlook on life is very profound. Why worry when worry only causes grief and even seemingly “real” symptoms? When worry is eliminated, then one is able to be more rational and efficient. Worry itself is the disease of all diseases as it steals from life and is curable by simply refusing to acknowledge it.

By: Susan

Susan — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:54:21 +0000

Thank you for your inspiring story. After my a relative (close in age) died of cancer, my struggle with hypochondria began. I was first convinced I had breast cancer (I didn’t); next it was skin cancer (it wasn’t) and now a bout of diarrhea has me concerned about colon cancer. Although I have a colonscopy scheduled, I continue to remind myself of the prior unsubstantiated concerns. Life is too short to spend it worrying about what MIGHT be…

By: LadyFenyx

LadyFenyx — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 16:31:30 +0000

I have exactly the same problem. I am forever scared that I have cancer. :(
I’m the most scared of skin cancer and breast cancer– however, I’m also afraid of going to doctors because I’m scared of pain (like needles), and I’m scared of what they are going to say.

I don’t know what to do, I am forever prodding and poking at myself… I can’t take it anymore, and neither can my boyfriend of nearly two years… what can I do?

By: LadyFenyx

LadyFenyx — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 16:31:30 +0000

I don’t know what to do, I am forever prodding and poking at myself… I can’t take it anymore, and neither can my boyfriend of nearly two years… what can I do?

By: mary

mary — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 23:07:15 +0000

By the way,trying to seek reassurance is the worst thing one can do.My mom tried to help by taking me to hospitals in the middle of the night,and every time the anticipation made me worse.When i heard i was fine i was so happy,and promised that it would be the last time but the happiness only lasted a dy or two,then i was in need of more reassurance.I spent a fortune visiting different doctors and private hospitals,and i was lucky in that my fear for medicine and drugs stopped be from becoming addicted which would have been so easy at the time.
My husband tried to ignore me and it was probably the best thing to do but at the time i felt he didnt care about me.I was avoiding going out(as i was afraid i would die of a heartattack)and i would never myself naked in the mirror as i was sure i would find a lump in my breast.I checked my moles everyday and once while flying i got a panic attack where i was sure to die.
Traveling used to be my whole life and the idea that i wouldnt be able to board a plane before made me so sad.Whats more i didnt want to have a second baby,cause i felt guilty of leaving two orphans when i die.I am still afraid but wont let it rule my life anymore.I travel again,and when i board the plane i try to think of all the pleasures in my life,mainly my son,to whom i owe to be mentally healthy too!Talking openly about it helps too,thank you for this opportuniry,its the first time i communicate what i have been through.Believe me all you need is to realize whats good in your life and focus on that.Do not take drugs,do not give in.If I can do it anyone can.

By: vicky dawson

vicky dawson — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:49:43 +0000

I have been suffering on and off for so many years,and the more unesseccary tests i have done the more worried i got.I finally had an mri which showed something so insignificant but at the time i thought it was MS.I had to travel to the Uk and send the MRI to so many doctors only to be told I was fine.However I found a therapist and for a year now I have realized what a gift life is and how unfair it is to be spoiling it by irrational fears.The fears are still there,I just stop magnifying them thats what I do.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:28:50 +0000

This article is definitely helpful. I have been to the doctor 7 times in the past month,put on anxiety medication and I have an appointment scheduled to see a psychiatrist in a few weeks.What started out as nothing,turned into what ultimately meant I had an incurable disease. How’d it start? Well…I was looking up symptoms and what popped up was absolutely horrifying.

It all went downhill from there. Each doctor appointment only meant that I was going to be told I had a disease. Everytime they told me I was fine,I just knew they were missing something or wasn’t looking hard enough.

My sister works at the ER and draws blood. She always has these horrifying stories to tell. Not knowing the state I was in,she told us all of a baby that had had a disease. My heart started racing,and all I could think was “Oh my god! I have a disease..this must be a sign”

It’s silly,but whatever may be wrong with me..I do know now that I will never take for granted normal stuff that I use to complain about.

Loved your story!