Severe health anxiety
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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@apollo8754 - I moved your post here so that you could chat with others talking about health- related anxiety:
- Severe health anxiety https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/severe-health-anxiety-1/
I see that @gently has inquired about your health. Hoping that other members here in this discussion will also come in with suggestions on dealing with health anxiety so severe it's hard to function. Please meet, if you've not already, @frederick83 @meingan @alexandra2609 @shmerdloff and many others here who may have thoughts for you.
apollo8754 - will you share a bit about what's been going on with your health that's given you anxiety?