How can I manage health anxiety and compulsions relating to OCD?

Health anxiety

Hello does anyone else find that maybe they read about a symptom they have and then look it up and they see so much more about it. Then the compulsions of wanting to check and recheck and figure out without getting certainty that they may in fact have this disease? I seem to loose all control when it comes to stepping back and not looking stuff up even when I know how this is going to affect my ocd and make me feel worse. I’m looking for some type of certainty that I don’t have it and there is none. Living in the uncertainty is so hard. Why as ocd people is it so important to have this reassurance when no one else in life has this either. If you can relate to health obsessions and compulsions, what things work for you to take a step back and not spiral into a hole of this ruminating over and over again. Feeling anxious and depressed. I feel by the time I realize I’m doing it, it’s too late and I’m right in the middle of it. How can I catch myself BEFORE I go to the journey of doing compulsions from things I worry about. Does it get easier over time to see the process and catch yourself from doing compulsions from something I’m ruminating about? The thought is uncomfortable but when the thought comes I just need to stop there! But I never do! Help! Does this happen to anyone else and can you relate? Any tips or suggestions? Thx

Username: VGHVGH

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 1y ago

Hi, this was me 100%😀. Yes, it does get easier, but it takes practice. You will get better at stopping yourself. Therapy with a NOCD therapist gave me the tools and practice to break free from the grip of OCD. I learned to cut out compulsions (researching symptoms/diseases, reassurance seeking, rumination and avoidance of all health related topics). I would alternate between Dr. Google and total avoidance. It is actually counterintuitive, allowing the uncertainty and distress actually makes it go away more quickly and less likely to return the next time you’re triggered. It does take time and practice, that’s why therapy with an OCD specialist is so helpful. There is a bunch of helpful content out there, Kim Quinlan “Your Anxiety Toolkit” has several podcasts on health anxiety. As does Jenna Overbaugh “All the Hard Things”. I always recommend Ethan Smith’s keynote address at the IOCDF (so helpful in understanding OCD and inspirational https://youtu.be/RPH27Z3IzNY?si=dSaMAjluQ3fksuKh. He does “Community Conversations” which are fantastic https://www.youtube.com/live/F49nEaU6HQ4?si=etjQgBwu4SmhBHhG. Take care!

Username: RMO2023RMO2023

Date posted: 1y ago

For me, a couple of things helped: I told myself that no news are good news (meaning that if I wasn't dying, then that was good.) Then, stop looking things up and just go to the doctor. If the doctor didn't find anything, then just trust that; but ultimately, what has helped the most is acceoting whatever happens. Leaving it to God.

Username: A7&&A7&&

Date posted: 1y ago

Also really struggling with health anxiety lately! (Like actually right now I’m trying to delay Googling something but it’s hard:/ ) I agree with the commenters here and thank them for sharing those tips/links!

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 1y ago

Hi, I suffered from health anxiety to the point of physical pain and exhaustion. I went to the doctor twice and got two different diagnoses and still did not believe them and still continued to symptom check. One day I made a goal to not check for 2 weeks and I followed through. By the time I got to two weeks, my mind was clearer and I was able to accept the doctors diagnosis. It is important to remember that you are no doctor, and if you are here on this app you are likely prone to thinking the worst outcome. Stop checking symptoms, let your mind clear up, then accept that you are just fine:)

Username: Themechanger

Date posted: 1y ago

Health OCD

Can someone tell me how to stop constantly googling every single thing that feels wrong. In the last three days I’ve convinced myself I had MS, I could be having a stroke (multiple times), I have a autoimmune disease and overall something’s wrong with my health. I made a appt to go see my doctor next week to get bloodwork done, which I know is almost like a compulsion because I need assurance that I’m okay, or if I’m not to figure out what’s wrong. My anxiety has made me have so many physical symptoms that I don’t know what’s a problem and what is my anxious brain. Every time something feels wrong I go to dr. Google and then I automatically have some life ending disease. My brain is so tired, I just can’t keep living like this where my mind races and greats new issues everyday. One week it’s health, the next it’s something else, the themes keep changing to keep it interesting and I fear that the mental/physical toll and stress of this is actually going to inevitably harm me. Can someone please give me some advice as to not lose my mind

Username: paylo28

Date posted: 51w ago

Health Anxiety/OCD

7 years ago I was a raging drug addict. I took any and all kinds of drugs without second thought of consequences. When I had my first child it’s like a switch flipped in my brain. Within her first 6 months of life I had over 12 visits to the ER. I was (still am) constantly afraid of developing a life threatening disease / illness or having a sudden health event (stroke / heart attack / heart failure / brain tumor / cancer ) develop. I’ve seen over 10 Specialist from autoimmune, heart, eyes, neurology , stomach , skin, etc. I’ve got a seemingly well bill of health but I become so hyper aware of every small change within my body. It’s. Constant state of fear and anxiety. Headache = likely tumor / aneurysm , small pain in chest or arm = heart problems , mild cold = covid or some rare disease , etc. Lately, my heart has been my fixation. I was having tachycardia going to the ER 2x a week. EKGs normal, 24hr monitor normal, X-RAY normal. Shortly after I notice my resting heart rate went down as low as 50bpm. I looked through my history over the months and that seems pretty normal for me I just hadn’t noticed before. Now I’ve been worried about my heart for weeks even tho my dr says I’m okay. It’s exhausting to be afraid of sickness and death 24/7. When I get focused on these thoughts it pulls me away from my kids and husband and daily tasks. I either full blown panic or shut down in fear. Anyone else relate? What helps you? I don’t want to rely on medications as I have so many adverse reactions to the 10+ I’ve tried! - oh year here’s another one - I’m afraid of allergic reactions as well I CONSTANTLY fear I will have an allergic reaction to medications / foods or over dose on things like Tylenol and Ibuprofen or mix meds and have reactions.

Username: Learningtoco...

Date posted: 39w ago

Health ocd

I feel like throughout my life my ocd has taken on different forms and I feel like every time I have issues it’s actually my ocd just getting bad again. Like someone reveals the scooby doo villain and surprise it’s just friggin ocd again . My main “flavor” that I have struggled with ever since the end of 2019 has been severe health ocd . So badly that I have had countless dr visits , hospital visits ranging from panic attacks to lingering anxiety that builds up after weeks of obsessing and loosing sleep . Is there anyone here with some tips to get through this kinda of thing? I’m in therapy and that has helped a lot but I still feel like I pops up and wrecks my life every 4 months or so

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How can I manage health anxiety and compulsions relating to OCD?

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