- Date posted
- 6y
- Date posted
- 6y
I personally struggle with health anxiety and OCD too and my big win was no more Dr Google. There’s too much information on the internet and you’re always going to get worst case scenarios. It’s so easy to spiral out of control and it’s just not worth it for folks like us. While I never stop worrying about illnesses, slowing down my body and relaxing or meditating has also really helped. Often times things like rashes and headaches are stress reactions. Meditating helps get me centered sometimes.
- Date posted
- 6y
Yeah I really need to stop with google bc I read symptoms and I think I actually stress myself out so much that The symptoms show up which is horrible. I’ve gone to the doctors a few times for issues that deep down I know are related to my ovarian cysts but I go just to make sure it isn’t something worse. Thank you! I will try meditating and focusing on better things!
- Date posted
- 6y
I’m sorry @anac. I wish you didn’t experience these things but it’s nice knowing someone can relate.
- Date posted
- 6y
Yes I google everything and believe that I have all the illnesses I m trying to stop using google also I check my body to check if I m feeling fine or no and if I should go to the doctor or no :( I feel safe going to the doctor but it hurt me :( ODC suc**
- Date posted
- 6y
Yup I check my body constantly and if there’s anything new, a simple cut, bruise, mole, red spot etc, I freak out :(
- Date posted
- 6y
@kalk9 I’m so sorry :(( it’s terrible
- Date posted
- 6y
Sound like this was me typing this :(
- Date posted
- 4y
Me too
- Date posted
- 6y
Me too I have all type of ocd harm And all them but overcame them but one the hardest one to overcome for me is health ocd because is about me my body is like I m putting my life at risk sometimes I let this thoughts pass but then I get thoughts like but what if is true I got cancer or I will die from the flu what if the water is contaminated I will die :/ the what if make me relapse to the compulsion then I google or go to the doctor or ask my bf what he think is terrible
- Date posted
- 6y
I used to be like that. I just had to stop googling things.
- Date posted
- 6y
I used to be worse but I managed to stop googling everything and feel somewhat better now
- Date posted
- 6y
This literally explained exactly what I’m going through right now. Down to the exact stressors.
- Date posted
- 6y
We can be there for each other! :)
- Date posted
- 6y
I can relate. It’s been a lifelong problem. I’m sorry.
Related posts
- Date posted
- 12w
I'm going to try and be coherent because I know that sometimes during these moments I tend to babble in fear. I have a mole on the left side of my chest that I've had since I was a kid. Been there for as long as I remember. And I never paid attention to it; it was just a part of my body. I even felt a little sad considering that I might not have it anymore whenever I get top surgery. Yesterday I went down a rabbit hole and landed on Melanoma. Which, of course, prompted me to look at my mole again. And again. And again. It's large, bigger than my other moles. Always has been, at least to my knowledge. I always thought it was cute whenever it crossed my mind. Now...now I'm just scared... I'm not asking for reassurance. None of us on here are medical experts (unless youre an actual doctor) (also insert OCD joke here). I sent a picture to my doctor, and she said that if it hasnt changed size that's a good sign. But she also suggested a follow-up with a dermatologist. And that's what scares me the most. All of this started yesterday, but I sent the message to my doctor this morning. And ever since then...I havent been okay. I can barely eat, and every time I try to I can barely swallow. I've isolated myself in the guest bedroom of my parents house. I cant move. I cant think straight. And...let's just say my thoughts havent been good. Like I said, I'm not asking for reassurance or medical advice. I just...I need help to not feel like I'm dying. I didnt mention that yesterday, in the midst of going down the rabbit hole, I realized how badly I didnt want to be afraid, and yet I also felt like I needed to be afraid. And I realized that that's what ERP is (at least for me in case it's different for everyone). I really did naivietely think that it was just going to be about avoiding compulsions. I didnt realize that accepting uncertainty would feel like a death sentence. And now this has happened. I just...I'm scared. And I dont want to be. I dont want to live in this reality where I'm sick and dying. I dont want to have to tell my family. I dont want to live in that world, but it feels like I'm already in it. My body is just preparing me for it. I dont know. I dont know why I'm even making this post. No one can help me, can they?
- Real Events OCD
- NOCD Therapy Alumni
- Existential OCD
- Young adults with OCD
- Mid-life adults with OCD
- Health Concern OCD
- Date posted
- 10w
Hi, I have been under extreme stress since about March this year, and from that started suffering from very bad health anxiety which has caused panic attacks etc. I’m in the middle of a spiral right now though because I am certain I have stomach cancer. I am 31 and female. Last week I had a very good few days anxiety wise and almost felt like myself. But on Sunday morning I woke up having to rush to the bathroom (TMI sorry) and felt very nauseous. I am emetophobic so this scared me too. Since then I have been having bad stomach cramps, had to rush to the toilet once a day, and some nausea. I have no appetite at all (last week I had a very good appetite but this week I am having to force myself to eat). I am thinking about my symptoms constantly which I think might be making them worse. I have had a bowel screening done which was clear so no blood, and a calprotectin which was very slightly raised at 53, but my GP said she wasn’t concerned about it but would refer me for further testing if I wanted. So I do have more tests booked but not for some months yet. I’m just really scared because of the stomach cramps, nausea, and having to rush to the bathroom once a day for five days now. I have also had bad acid reflux but that only tends to happen when I have taken propranolol. I also have IBS so maybe my anxiety has flared it up but I’m not convinced. I’m just so scared to the point I can’t leave the house and I have been lay in bed for five days thinking about my symptoms and that I could have stomach cancer. I have also been referred for CBT in the near future to help deal with this, but I’m scared that I’m brushing something off as anxiety and giving time for the illness to spread. I just feel constantly scared. I thought I’d had a breakthrough last week but this has just hit me like a tonne of bricks. Has anyone else dealt with anything like this? I just want to feel okay again I am freaking out so bad
- Date posted
- 10w
31 year old female. I have IBS and POTS for some background. Since Sunday however I am scared I could have stomach cancer. Back in March I had to start taking propranolol for my POTS which caused horrific acid reflux and the feeling of a lump in my throat. I am waiting for new medication but my cardiologist is so bad at getting back to me. Anyway, last week I didn’t take much propranolol (I try to only take them when my POTS is bad) and I had three good days anxiety wise. On Sunday however I woke up at 4am needing to rush to the loo, I felt a bit nauseous which panicked me because I have a big fear of throwing up. Anyway since then I have had stomach discomfort, no appetite, feeling nauseous and some indigestion. It is really scaring me because I came across a TikTok that said symptoms of stomach cancer can be an increased heart rate, acid reflux, stomach discomfort, change in bowel habits etc. I have convinced myself that I don’t have POTS and that my increased heart rate is due to stomach cancer (sometimes I get night time adrenaline dumps which makes my heart rate shoot up). I’m scared that the feeling of a lump in my throat is also connected to stomach cancer, as is the stomach discomfort and bowel changes. I have had a clear bowel cancer screening, and mild inflammation and a faecal calprotectin test that was mildly elevated at 53 (normal levels are below 50). GP said she wasn’t concerned but referred me for further test anyway but that’s not for a few months. Also it’s mostly my stomach I’m concerned about. I can’t stop thinking I am missing something. I have a GP appointment booked but I’m scared I’ve left it too late and whatever is going on with me is growing and spreading and it will be too late. I’m really, really scared. I feel like for the last three months most days I have completely lost myself. But the last five days have been so so bad, I have googled constantly and just feel like I’m never going to feel better because of my stomach. I just really needed to vent. I have been referred for therapy but I can’t help thinking this is not anxiety and is just something I’m brushing off as anxiety. I’m really scared and just don’t know what to do :(
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