I'm scared I have melanoma because of a swollen lymph node in my upper thigh. It's a bit bruised, too, so it's freaking me out. I'm 18, and my grandmother died of skin cancer, so I'm a bit paranoid now. I want to bring this up to my derm when I see her for my acne but I dont want to make a fool of myself by being overly cautious and changing the subject from my face to something else.

You're definitely right, I guess it's just my anxiety holding me back. I dont feel comfortable exposing that part of my body so I'm selfconscious about showing it to the doctor.

@worryqueen That's a whole different ballgame. All I can say is that doctors, especially dermatologists are really used to swing body parts. It's not a big deal to them. Though, I haven't been to a doctor in years because of not wanting to undress, so I'm kinda hypocritical here

@NOCD Advocate - Katie Going to doctors and showing them my symptoms is what Actually leads me to the psychiatrist. My doctor notice that I've been visiting her 3 times, with negative results. She realized I was suffering psychologically so she refer me to a psychiatrist and I was diagnosed with OCD.

@OCMinimalist Sounds like she was attuned to how distressed you felt. I'm glad she referred you to a more appropriate resource

@NOCD Advocate - Katie Yes! I was really glad that I found an experienced doctor.

@NOCD Advocate - Katie I'll bring it up to her, probably. If not I'll just continue to obsess over it. Better to just rip off the bandaid I guess!

@worryqueen I suggest you to endure the anxiety up to 1 week, just observe the swollen lymph node. It's a good way of exposing your self to the fear. Apply the ERP.

@worryqueen I'm sure 90% of that is just your OCD, 10% is the swollen lymph node.

@OCMinimalist Will do! Just figured out my doctor is a man though so this might be even more difficult to talk about.

@worryqueen Nice. How about look for a woman doctor? Atleast you would feel more comfortable.

I feel you! Ocd really does like to go for the most terrifying things

@worryqueen True! And this is not actually the first disease that terrifies me. When I was 6 yrs. old, I believed I have kidney or heart disease. When I was 12, I believed I have nose polyps. When I was 16, I'm convinced that I have bone cancer. 20, HIV. And now I'm 22, Lupus!! Damn. ?

@OCMinimalist I was convinced I had a heart disease when I was younger, and a brain tumor. Some things just dont change I guess!

@worryqueen Yas, they just change into a new illness obsessions!