Severe health anxiety

It looks you got so much helpful info that you might already be on your way to feeling a lot better -- Yes, one reason is that human are social beings and therefore if we do not have CLOSE social connections, we wither, even feel scared and ashamed because we feel as if everyone knows I have no friends. Strange, right? But humans are clever to deceive Ourselves. So we have people all around in densely populated areas -- and they are Lonely. Go figure. No wonder, not just anxiety, depression are on the rise, we have Physical health problems going up, too: diabetes Type 2 and obesity in tandem going up, even as we know up to 80% of heart and stroke issues cud be prevented with Lifestyle Choices. Think about it. We can get so much our health back simply by adjusting our eating and physical activity habits.

Now I, too had an anxiety/panic attack that stopped my breathing in early dawn making me jump out of bed, and ending up in seeing emergency, who said what I'm saying is looks like you're worrying too much about something ... even as I said I'm retired, what worry? Anyway I was offered CBT, to which I said I know what it is and can do myself. She said 'it's not the same' to which I said let ME try first. That was ten years ago.

I am a firm believer -- and follower -- of basic healthy lifestyle, which seems to have saved me not having to see my doctor for ten years now and with no medications, surgeries (tho I cud use cataract) or tests, supplements with some old age infirmities and joint pains still able to live quite independently.
I sleep soundly because I am tired after using my time in activities that I believe give me a sense of having spent my time Purposefully. This is crucial. Indeed now in early eighties, it has become more urgent. It seems I'll attract health issues when MY purpose-in-life disappears, in an adrift aimless existence.

I truly wish you get to have the life you cherish -- and it seems, as many have said, it mostly what is in OUR control.
It'll be good to know your progress
(And u thought only goddesses write book-length comments, Haha)

Hi, I didn’t have anxiety or mild depression until I experienced a major medical episode around a year and a half ago. Since that day, I haven’t been able to sleep without taking Ativan or Ambien and interestingly I haven’t been able to cry either. The sleep and anxiety I can understand because my body is stuck in the fight or flight mode due to a very difficult four month period. But I don’t understand why I can’t shed a tear. I didn’t suffer a loss of a loved one but I did suffer a loss of myself. I most likely won’t ever be the person I was before. You’re probably right. No one can ever understand what experiencing high anxiety or depression is like unless they experience it themselves. It’s wonderful that you’re in this group to get the support you were hoping to get from your friends or family. Best of luck.

Anxiety has dogged me all my adult life. I take Cymbalta (60 Mg) each day for it. In this year of modern medicine, I frequently wonder if there’s something better than Cymbalta. I sleep by occasionally taking an Ambien. Perhaps that is one time per week. Please let me know of your recommendations so that I can discuss such with my doctor. Thanks for your help.

@roseann4z Thank you for opening up and sharing your story. You’ve already been through so much, and the strength it takes to keep going — even while dealing with health anxiety — is incredible. I can really relate to what you said about going to the worst-case scenario; I struggle with the same thing.

Even when the doctors say everything looks fine, my mind keeps finding new “what ifs.” It’s exhausting. So please know, you’re definitely not alone in this.

I truly admire your resilience after everything you’ve faced since such a young age. You’re a fighter — even if it doesn’t always feel like it. Sending you calm thoughts and hoping you find a bit more peace each day 💜

@coffeechoc918 Hi,
Thank you so much for your kind message — it really means a lot. I’m so sorry you’ve been going through all of that. Everything you described sounds so familiar; I’ve been dealing with the same kind of health anxiety for years — the endless googling, doctor visits, and that feeling that something’s wrong even when tests come back normal. It’s exhausting, isn’t it?

And the butterfly you sent… that truly touched me. It brought back a beautiful memory — on my last birthday with my dad, there were little butterflies like that on my cake. Seeing it just made me tear up a bit, but in a good way. 💜

I haven’t tried Prozac myself, but I’ve been thinking about trying a different medication soon, since the ones I used before didn’t really help.

Thank you again for reaching out — it’s comforting to know there are others who truly understand this kind of struggle. Sending you calm thoughts and warm hugs 🦋

I am suffering from daily severe anxiety/panic attacks that make my symptoms 10 times worse and leave me bed ridden.The only thing I’ve been diagnosed with is severe central stenosis in the C6 C7, but I get these what I think are uncorrelated but yet unrelenting headaches and neck pressure. I have tension throughout my whole body, which triggers a severe anxiety spell.I’ve been to so many different specialists trying to pinpoint all the different symptoms that I’ve been experiencing and I feel that it keeps circling back to the same place… my anxiety.I was referred to a psychologist to manage my pain symptoms, but it’s been a slow process starting bio feedback therapy. I’m not really doing any CBT or medication’s although it is something I’ve considered.I am a 48-year-old male who has been divorced for three years and is taking care of three kids by myself. I feel like I am struggling with isolation as well as depression, which can also trigger my anxiety.Anybody that suffered severe daily panic attacks have any recommendations on how to handle them or what to do?

I am suffering from daily severe anxiety/panic attacks that make my symptoms 10 times worse and leave me bed ridden.The only thing I’ve been diagnosed with is severe central stenosis in the C6 C7, but I get these what I think are uncorrelated but yet unrelenting headaches and neck pressure. I have tension throughout my whole body, which triggers a severe anxiety spell.I’ve been to so many different specialists trying to pinpoint all the different symptoms that I’ve been experiencing and I feel that it keeps circling back to the same place… my anxiety.I was referred to a psychologist to manage my pain symptoms, but it’s been a slow process starting bio feedback therapy. I’m not really doing any CBT or medication’s although it is something I’ve considered.I am a 48-year-old male who has been divorced for three years and is taking care of three kids by myself. I feel like I am struggling with isolation as well as depression, which can also trigger my anxiety.Anybody that suffered severe daily panic attacks have any recommendations on how to handle them or what to do?

Hey everyone, I just want to see if there is anyone else out there that is experiencing this? I recently developed severe anxiety regarding my health, more specifically the heart and lungs aspect. I always find myself correlating any type of pain at this point ( small cramp feeling in my calf but I think its a blood clot, or difficulty breathing and chest pressure due to my GERD and chondritus as a full blown heart attack for days now). Im at a loss here especially since I just started a family and the week leading up to the due date, I was in the ER 3 times as I was convinced something was wrong with my heart and lungs, only to have everything ruled out. Once it was, I then chalked it up to a cricked my neck the wrong way and either had tear in my artery internally or pinched the nerve that controls signals to my heart and lungs. I saw my dr today as a last minute hey Ive been having this strong ache pain down my sternum and no relief with my indigestion meds and antacids. Told I was fine, that it was not life threatening and not to worry because I am an active guy 32, avid lifter, (though not so much this last month due to the anxiety of it). Is anyone else going through this and or found ways to basically function?