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?

Does anyone else deal with health anxiety? Over the past few months I have had some serious health anxiety. Recently I have had thoughts that I had breast cancer, I got an ultrasound everything was normal. Now I am experiencing achy underarms here and there and I am super anxious and worried anyone have any ways that helps them cope or can relate? I’m only 23 years old and just started dealing with anxiety this summer!

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.

i had these red spots on my leg and i made the mistake of googling it. now i’m terrified i have leukaemia. i went to the doctors and showed her a picture but i felt like she dismissed it quickly so it didn’t give me peace of mind. now i’m having the worst anxiety ever over it. i can’t focus, i have headaches, my knee has been hurting so much and my muscles feel tense. i know they can also be symptoms of anxiety but im scared it’s cancer and i’ve been failing classes because i can’t stop thinking about it. i constantly check the symptoms of leukaemia online and check if i have them. i’m trying to make another appointment with my doctor but she’s not the most caring doctor so i just feel annoying and crazy.