Severe health anxiety

Posted by anahitap @anahitap, Jul 14, 2025

Hi everyone,
I'm a 34-year-old woman and I've struggled with severe anxiety (probably GAD) since childhood. It's gradually gotten worse with age. For many years now, I've also been dealing with intense health anxiety, which became even more overwhelming after my dad passed away.

Lately, I’ve been having a lot of stomach and esophagus symptoms—like bloating, reflux, upper back pain, chest pain, and this weird tingling in different parts of my body. On top of that, I’ve been getting daily panic attacks.
I have an endoscopy scheduled for Wednesday, and I can’t stop thinking it’s cancer. The thought just won’t leave my head.
Every 4 years or so, because of stress, I get severe stomach issues and end up needing another endoscopy.

Is there anyone here who’s had intense stomach symptoms like mine just because of anxiety?
I feel really terrible and don’t know what to do. Another thing that’s been bothering me: it’s been 6 years since my dad died, and I haven’t been able to cry since then. It’s like my whole body wants to cry, but the tears just won’t come out.
Before he passed, I used to cry easily—even over small things—but now I feel stuck. I think if I could just cry, I’d feel some relief.

I used to take medication, but I’ve been off meds for a few months now. I’m planning to see a psychiatrist again.
Do any of you know a medication that specifically helps with health anxiety?
Sorry for the long post—I just feel really, really alone and like no one truly understands what I’m going through. That’s honestly the hardest part.

Thanks for reading. 💜

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meingan | @meingan | Jan 3 3:13pm

@anahitap I’ve suffered stomach issues ever since childhood. I had a couple of hospitalizations, one as a teenager in high school and one as a university student. They never found anything. During my career years, I suffered 20 years with the issues you identified and I did eventually realize it was likely stress caused. During those 20 years, hospitalized many times, had endoscopies and they found nothing. During that time I also took about 5 courses of h-pylori antibiotics and it would work for awhile. The last time was a disaster. My last bout in hospital involved 12 days with all kinds of tests and like before they found nothing. During that time I couldn’t eat much except for soup. I began feeling better.
After that I discovered Dr. Natasha Campbell Mcbride’s GAPS diet. Basically it’s a gut healing diet. I did it rigorously for 2 years and it healed me. It’s very difficult to do but it was worth it. No more regular gut aches for 10 years. Although I did have a few bouts - 2 times. I think these are related to h-pylori or some other bad bacteria. I took mastic gum to get rid of the bacteria one time and it worked. I never take antibiotics anymore because that’s probably what contributed to the unhealthy gut biome. Hope this is helpful.

frederick83 | @frederick83 | Feb 10 4:13pm

I have extreme PTSD and anxiety that is triggered , 42 ex British Army soldier 2004 to 2022

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Feb 10 5:37pm

In reply to @frederick83 "I have extreme PTSD and anxiety that is triggered , 42 ex British Army soldier 2004..." + (show)

@frederick83 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.

First off, thank you for your military service. Eighteen years is a long while to serve in such a restricted environment!

Would you want to share your experiences? What are your triggers and what techniques have you done to help you work through things? It will help us to better understand how we can support you!
Ginger