Hypochondria?

Question

I'm losing my effing mind. Any advice on dealing with hypochondria?

Please no condescending quotes; "Do not worry about what you cannot control."
That is easier said then done.

It's not that I'm pretending to be unwell. It's the constant and relentless fear that I am infact very sick.

For example I headache (how ever minor) equals a brain tumar in my mind.

I realize how irrational these thoughts are, but simply recongnizing that does not make it any more bearable.
And certainly doesn't make it stop.

Answer 1

I have several patients in my practice who deal with the same thing. Believe me...you are NOT alone.

This is a VERY common (much more than probably realized) medical/psychological problem. It is often crippling to those who are effected by it, and they often come in repeated waves while they are at the "peak" of their distress.

You cannot control this, willfully, any more than a person can control their own heart-attack. It takes therapy and more than likely, medication.

Because there is such a link to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, people with Hypochondria will often respond quite well to the medications we use for the OCD types. Personally, in these cases, I use a medication called "Celexa." For most, it works very well, but that's only part of it. The other part is getting help via a therapist/counseling. He or She can help you to guide your thought processes into more appropriate ones, thus relieving a great deal of the anxiety that often surrounds those thoughts.

Another thing I ask my patients to do is to avoid movies, TV, radio, and music that deals with negative subjects. In this day and age it's a VERY daunting task, but it really does help. The more patients with this kind of disorder hear/see negativity in their lives, only appears to increase their worries and become plagued with the idea that "this could happen to me!"

Not to give up, but there's still a lot you can do!

Best of luck!

Answer 2

I no how you feel... One minute I have cancer and the next one of my organs is giving out. the weird thing is I actually get the symptoms of these things happening, like sometimes I completely focus on my appendix bursting and I can actually feel this horrible pain right where it is, but it hasn't happened yet. I really dont have the best advice but I would definatley see a doctor, they really do help put you back in reality. Also I would stop looking up symptoms of things on the internet (if you do that, that was my biggest problem) What you don't no of, is probably better for you. But other then that Psychotherapy is also great. Good luck.

Answer 3

Well you aren't really saying what your losing your mind about? Hypochondria of you or someone else? If it is you figure out what is bugging you , see a Dr. to make sure it's real or not. If someone else there's not a whole lot you can do about it but be annoyed and do the best you can to tell the person they are ok. Sometimes we think we are a hypochondriac and we aren't"t I thought I was bugging out then was diagnosed with fibromyalsia and rhuematory arthritis. Two serious conditions. So if its you get to a good Dr. Good Luck our bodies usually aren't all that wrong.

Answer 4

I have always thought that hypochondria is an anxiety disorder. Maybe you should consult with a medical profesional who is allowed to prescribe medication, as you may simply need an antianxiety agent to help you get through the days. It must suck to worry about everything all the time. You need some help. Be okay with that and make an appointment. Good Luck. I hope this helps you.

Answer 5

Clearly you have recognised that pretending to be unwell is not working well for you. Thats the first step in recovery. The next step to get help to clarify why you do it.Did you get lots of attention as a child for being unwell ( more that your achievements)? My advice is to go and see a behavioral therapist to help you sort things out. All the best to you! :)