having hypochondria issues-help!

[elliemom]

Listen, you are NOT alone.

I am a walking, talking, hypochondriacal panic attack!!! It's okay. It's not something to be ashamed of. I get rid of mine by laughing at it or myself.

Example. I imagine I am going to the doctor to tell him I am the first and only person in the whole world who touched one piece of insulation and now am suffering from mesothelioma. By the time i get thru the whole scenario in my mind, I can realize how ridiculous it is. The anxiety goes down if not away!!

I do this whenever I dream up some crazy new thought about some rare disease I contracted. I once told my doc that I was sure when the anxiety attack was happening that I was going to die. I was CONVINCED!! He said "Did you ever die before"? And I laughed, and I felt better.

Relax, learn how best to cope for you and reach out when you need help.
I"VE PROBABLY ALREADY HAD THAT DISEASE AND CAN HELP YOU GET THRU IT

ellie

 

[pixiesis]

Thanks Ellie! It's nice knowing I'm not alone and it does help to laugh! Speaking of which, I found this at a cute little gift shop for my sister (she is a hypo too). It's called "Yes You're Probably Dying" and it's a really funny toy wheel where you find your symptom and it gives the worst case scenario. It helps with the whole laughing thing.

http://www.amazon.com/Yes-Youre-Probably-Dying-Hypochondriac/dp/B000VSCIU6

Amy

 

[LaughingWater]

That is hysterical! DH's cousin just might get that for his birthday.

 

[Miss Lee]

Thanks Ellie! It's nice knowing I'm not alone and it does help to laugh! Speaking of which, I found this at a cute little gift shop for my sister (she is a hypo too). It's called "Yes You're Probably Dying" and it's a really funny toy wheel where you find your symptom and it gives the worst case scenario. It helps with the whole laughing thing.

http://www.amazon.com/Yes-Youre-Probably-Dying-Hypochondriac/dp/B000VSCIU6

Amy

OMG!!! LOL!!! I SO want that! I might have to stock up on a few because I know several people I could give one to -- LOL!!

 

[elliemom]

I HAVE ONE!!!!
My mother got it for me!!!!

ellie

 

[kgalas]

And I thought I was the only one! I'm glad to know I am in such good company I assuage my hypo attacks by perusing the forums at www.thehypochondriac.com. and by taking a little Zanax Amy, that's exactly the line my Dh always uses when I have one of my attacks-funny!

I have had the motherload-MS, ALS, Colon Cancer, DVT, Cervical Cancer, a brain tumor...

I just went to Urgent Care last Saturday convinced I was having a heart attack! It's always something If our insurance covered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy I'd be going, but we can't afford it out of pocket. So I just drive my poor husband, family and friends batty-it's a miracle they still talk to me after what I've put them through!

Ellie, I've got you beat-I imagine my funeral!

Sending hugs to all my hypo sisters out there!

 

[elliemom]

Klaudia and others.

Dr Aaron Beck at the University of Penn started a cognitive therapy group MAANY years ago. He had wonderful success with anxiety, panic and hypochondria. His student. David Burnes has a great book called The Feel Good Book. It contains ALL the exercises used in behavioral and cognitive therapy and you can even buy the workbook!!!!

It's a great program and it really works.
The Xanax is good for me too!!!

ellie

 

[Beavs]

Xanax is a must for any plane trips for me.

And Amy....I had a blue moon with a wedge of orange this evening in your honor. Cheers to us Nervous Nellies