OCD makes me feel like I'm on a prank TV show

One of my most persistent symptoms of OCD is being convinced that I have some kind of severe or terminal illness. I've had so many appointments (that have picked up a few things but nothing that's been a death sentence). Every ache, symptom, I'm absolutely convinced something is wrong. Then I'll get it checked out, and it's normal. Or I'll feel a sensation like earlier I felt a sharp pain in my stomach when I pressed the upper part of it, CONVINCED its stomach cancer. And then I burped and I'm perfectly fine. I get so intensely wrapped in worry, and then later on I see I completely made everything up. It's so exhausting.

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 42w ago

I was the same. I convinced myself I had a problem with my heart. There's nothing wrong. I had some relief but it didn't last long. Unfortunately my "theme" has changed from health to my relationship. It's exhausting and I get it completely. You're not on your own.

Username: NervousNomadNervousNomad

Date posted: 42w ago

Thank you!

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 42w ago

I experience the same thing. It’s really hard and it is so exhausting. My biggest compulsion is to Google those symptoms. I’m really working hard on not doing that - but that is hard too. Hang in there - you aren’t alone in it.

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 42w ago

It's so hard! Mine comes with magical thinking too; if I have a nagging fear of a specific diagnosis due to a random body "symptom," I becomes super aware when that thing comes up and take it as a "sign" that I need to take seriously. Someone on Tiktok mentioned it? It's a sign. A character on a TV show gets it? A sign! I can't ignore the signs!! The compulsions just get worse from there. Anyway, you're not alone, and mine has gotten MUCH better with therapy. You can definitely get through this.

Username: vgbvgb

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 4d ago

@Anonymous Oh yes!!! The mere mention is a sign…..

Username: NervousNomad

Date posted: 1y ago

I can't tell what's real anymore

I was recently diagnosed with OCD a little over a month ago, but I've had the symptoms as long as I can remember. Currently struggling with really bad health anxiety, and I'm absolutely convinced I have cancer. I've had a host of odd symptoms, I've seen every specialist in the book and nothing regarding cancer has come up. But I've had a hoarse voice for about a month now, and ended up scheduling ENT appointment. It's so hard to focus at work because I'm so sure I'm going to die. But I've been so sure every other time. I just don't know if my symptoms are real or not. I physically can see and feel differences but nothing comes up. Does anyone else struggle with this? I'm still waiting for my first ERP appointment.

Username: Unknown93

Date posted: 44w ago

Health concerns

I often convince myself I have some kinda of life threatening illness… currently colon/ rectal cancer is what I’m obsessing over… anyways I struggle on when seek medical attention because I don’t know when there’s a real medical issue or if it’s just ocd telling me there’s something wrong. Does anyone else struggle with this, and if so how to decide when so see a doctor or when to ignore it

Username: itgetsbetter!

Date posted: 37w ago

Feeling Scared

TW: talk of cancer I don’t post on here much, but I’ve been dealing with Health Concern OCD my whole life. I am constantly searching for mystery illnesses that could be causing even the slightest discomforts in my body. My lymph nodes are swollen, I am trying to rationalize my thinking by saying I could just have a cold. However, I cannot stop thinking about it. I am terrified of having some form of cancer/lymphoma that I may not have noticed until now. I am restless and unable to sleep, all I can think about is what is going to happen if I get this checked out by a doctor. I want to know why this is happening in my body, but I’m scared that my worst nightmare might be true and if I was too late to get seen. I’m feeling very defeated, and trapped in my own head. Nobody knows how debilitating my OCD really is because I put on a very good facade of seeming like I’m cool calm and collected. Most of the time, I’m freaking out over the smallest changes or feelings.

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OCD makes me feel like I'm on a prank TV show

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