Tired of hurting myself

Mentally AND physically. Ever since I got a cut on my nipple last May (because of bad bras and work), I have been obsessed with the idea that I might have breast cancer. I am obsessively doing breast exams and squeezing my skin to feel lumps. The other night, I squeezed so hard that it actually formed a bruise! Thanks to Icy Hot and Tylenol, the bruise is fading quickly, but I'm tired of causing myself pain because of these thoughts. Outside of me doing it to myself, the only pain I feel is from a ridiculously tight bra (I NEED to get a new one...) and the normal wear and tear from having a physically demanding job. I'm just. so tired. I want to exist without obsessively fearing over this. Before this, it was teeth. I have one that sticks out, and I was CONVINCED that it would just fall out. Maybe getting all of this out will help me...

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 36w ago

I struggled with the thought of having testicular cancer for like 2 and a half years, it plagued my days for so long. When I would sleep at night I would have dreams of my jaw locking because I had so much anxiety. It got to a point where I had seen the doctor twice for it and I officially broke the cycle because I was so fed up and tired it took a long time but I didn't handle it appropriately. I should've went to therapy for it but I didn't think it was necessary. Now my ocd is more based on my mental health and weight loss. It feels endless but it has gotten better for me I was in a really dark place and some days I slip back a little into that same headspace, but i am really trying to not go as deep into analysis about the thoughts because that's the real root of this disorder is the fear of the unknown and the desire to know whats wrong.

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 36w ago

I really appreciate your response... I actually feel a little calmer about everything

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 36w ago

Thank you I'm glad I can help, I've been struggling the past few days with ocd and Anxiety too today was okay for the most part it just takes practice and, it can feel hopeless but if we stay mindful about the tools we have and resources and stick together as a community we will beat this terrible disorder.

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 36w ago

Ever since I got this bruise, I have been spiralling, like worse than usual, but my best friend pointed me toward this app (she has it, too) and already I think I noticed a small difference. :') We can beat this!

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 36w ago

You have no idea the feeling I just got when I saw your comment it was so quick but just someone being here responding helps me, it makes me feel like I have brothers and sisters here by my side.

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 36w ago

Oh, definitely! Having a sense of community and solidarity really is healing...

Username: RybreadRybread

Date posted: 36w ago

I have health anxiety to and that triggers my OCD to. I do DBT therapy with my therapist I'm some people with OCD. That makes there symptoms worse. We don't really do that type is therapy intensley for that reason. But anyways my point is. I was told that " these thoughts you'll always have, you just gotta learn to let them coexist in that brain of yours and not let them control how you act and or respond to certain triggers. Your in control of your thoughts not the other way around" Do you have healthy stuff to distract you from the thoughts that won't trigger other OCD thoughts. Ik for me I draw or read or play with my pets Those things seem to help

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 36w ago

Actually, I have been trying to draw regularly again... It feels good in the moment and I'm trying to not give up on it. (Literally have gone YEARS without drawing, lol) Getting outside and sitting in the sunshine seems to help, too.

Username: RybreadRybread

Date posted: 36w ago

@Anonymous I mean I get that drawing takes motivation to draw something. I don't draw as much as a I used to. And going outside in the sunshine or even around others. Even if they are strangers. Like going for a walk helps a lot.

Username: pey13

Date posted: 6y ago

How do I stop worrying about illnesses? For some reason I’ve been stuck on a kick where I’m constantly worrying about getting cancer and I am always googling symptoms of various cancers. I read that leukemia can cause a rash and I thought about it so much I have a stress rash now (which obviously makes me worry I have leukemia). I’ve had fatigue and headaches from pcos for years but I’m convincing myself it’s bc of cancer. It started bc I had pain in my armpit for a couple days and it went straight to me stressing about breast cancer. The pain resided after a few days but I’m pretty sure I have a phantom pain every once in a while bc it’s all I can think about. Any tips?

Contamination OCD

Username: sometimes_mary

Date posted: 4y ago

I have had anxiety issues for years and have been in therapy for that. But a big change in my life made it spin out of control. Btw, I am a bit of a control freak. So, for the last year, health anxiety has reigned. It all started when I had a panick attack and ran out of the operation room where I had to go under for a very simple, preventive procedure (I was convinced I wasn’t going to wake up.) I faced it again and made it. But after that I have been going from one health scare to the other. Skin cancer, oral cancer, breats cancer, HPV related cervical cancer - went through each recently. These are accompanied by panick attacks, insomnia and anxiously googling symptoms and testimonials. Every visit to the doctor end with panick that I forgot to check other important symptoms or that she might not be taking me seriously and miss something important. Now I am worried about a lymph node under my jaw that is slightly swollen. I know chances are it is ok and it is not cancer, it’s my anxiety. But what if it isn’t? And on it goes. I just want to stop worrying and go a day without googling symptoms or health issues. I am waiting for it to pass as these periods of health anxiety are kinda like panicks attacks - they build up, they peak and then they pass. I am afraid doctors will stop taking me seriously (this week I saw my doctor for a melanoma scare and a sore breast.) I am afraid when my doctor doesn’t investigate further and I am afraid when she does. I know it is absurd (I recently googled eye cancer) but I can’t stop. Sorry for the long post, I guess I wanted to write it all down and share it.

Username: emilytravels...

Date posted: 1y ago

In a vicious health OCD cycle 😭

I cannot seem to stop the cycle and I’m questioning how much longer I can manage like this. I keep having a symptom, or so I think. It’s not super consistent, and when I’ve gone to the doctor to explain it, I feel like a crazy person. Its sharpish, tingling pains in my stomach that do seem to be more present when I’m stressing and hyper fixating on them. But sometimes just pop up on their own. I won’t notice it for a few days, and then I’ll feel a twinge in my stomach and absolutely have a freak out over it thinking it’s some stage 4 something. I’ve stopped wearing certain clothes and working out because I’m afraid of “triggering” it. I feel like I can’t even distinguish between what’s real and what’s not anymore. How will I ever know when to actually go to the doctor for something if i don’t know that what I’m feeling is even real? Has this happened to anyone else?

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Tired of hurting myself

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