- Date posted
- 6y
- Date posted
- 6y
@timtam Hi, and thanks for your answer. I'm glad that I manage to convince myself most of the time that I'm not being logical, and that there is no way that once I started reading about skin cancer I would suddenly start sprouting new moles everywhere (that just does not happen!!) Today I have managed to calm myself down by crocheting and watching videos, and have successfully distracted myself so that I haven't thought about my skin for a while. Wearing long sleeved shirts has also helped to fight the urge to search for things. Thank you for your support, I'll continue fighting back the urge to google things and check myself!
- Date posted
- 6y
Hi! You’re not alone with your health anxiety - it’s haunted me for such a long time. It is all so scary when your mind goes above and beyond thinking about what you might have. Keep reminding yourself all of what you’ve said - you have had moles most of your life (normal), the fact that none of them have changed (good! And normal) and also remind yourself that you are okay and healthy, and that if something was to change you would notice it (people without our ocd notice things and they are okay). As we get older, even day to day, we acquire new marks and spots and all of these don’t automatically mean cancer. I also find distracting myself a useful tool. After I’ve reminded myself of these logical things I force myself to walk away from the checking and do something I enjoy - an episode (or 5) of friends, or your favourite movie/ book, go for a walk, say hi to your pet if you have one. Feel yourself relaxing and moving away from the scariness as you enjoy the distraction. I’m so sorry that you’re feeling this way, and sending lots of love and support your way
- Date posted
- 6y
Have you tried Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? You sound so much like me and CBT was life changing. You aren’t alone!
- Date posted
- 6y
@boogle Hello, I actually go to therapy weekly (have had a christmas break now) but for different reasons than OCD. I started therapy because of depression which has been getting much, much better, but my OCD has started to get in the way of my life now. Once I see my therapist again I'm planning to have a discussion about this and talk about what kind of options we have and what he thinks I should do! I'm also planning to visit another psychiatrist /doctor (for university students these services are very cheap luckily) to get their opinion. Thank you!
- Date posted
- 6y
Hi! I have really bad health anxiety too! You’re not alone :)
Related posts
- Date posted
- 20w
Hi all, it’s been a while since I’ve posted on here but i have thankfully been getting better with my Health OCD and haven’t felt the need to come on here, however I’ve fallen back into the trap and can’t even function without panicking and worrying at the minute! I was very stressed a few weeks ago over life scenarios when I started seeing a lot of signs and symptoms of colon cancer in young people on social media, I didn’t think too much of it. However of course a few days later I start having the symptoms! Sore stomachs, constipation etc. I have been so worried, I went to my doctor and got constipation medication for a week which I took but since stopping I have the same symptoms and more and I am worried so much everyday I’ve been hyper aware of my bowel movements! I have even been trying to force myself to go when I feel like I don’t really need to which in turn has caused haemorrhoids and some blood, which has made me even more anxious!! (Note: my partner actually thinks I’m going to the bathroom a normal amount and am not even really constipated anymore but I’m convinced I am) I feel like I’m going crazy and no one seems to think my worries are rational - can OCD/ anxiety impact your bowel movements and stomach? I’ve never really had this and I’m petrified of it, I hope someone else has had this scenario before and has came out the other side (edited)
- Date posted
- 14w
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
- 12w
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
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