Fear of Serious Physical Illness

[katyats]

Hi there, I have been suffering from anxiety for around 4 months, and everytime I get a panic attack, this might seem weird- I assume I have cancer. I get a headache and tenderness in my head muscles from anxiety- I think I have a tumour. I get chest pains and difficulty to breathe from anxiety- I think I have lung cancer. My heart starts going crazy due to panic attacks- I assume I'm having a heart attack and it's going to stop any minute now and I'm going to die. And much much more. Is this common? Or am I insane/actually ill of all these things? If you guys get the same, how do you deal with it? It's ruining my life.

[hidalgo25]

I am the same way , I go to church a lot it makes feel better ,or you can get a therapist , read books or if you believe in God try to go to a retreat , or get someone to talk about it close to you , I am some days good but other ones pretty bad is really annoying !!!!! I know, but try to keep your mine positive and talk to your self telling your self that does are just symptoms of anxiety n try deep meditation for better breath .

[hidalgo25]

Or just go get a medical check and do all test so you can feel better .

[Gar]

Try to stay calm, I've been dealing with the same feelings as you for years. First thing (even though it might terrify you) is find a MD that you like and get a full physical and blood work. I am currently weighting for my yearly blood results and its driving me nuts. What this will do is help to put your mind at rest that you have seen the doctor and physically you are ok. I found that forcing myself to go to the gym every day to every other day helps tremendously. I hate the gym but it tends to release my anxiety. I know it sounds crazy but I also listen to relaxation CD's if I'm feeling especially bad. Most of them are only about 1/2 hour long. I also give my wife a heads up when I'm starting to feel high anxiety. Just talking to someone you can trust and that is nonjudgmental is a big help. We have been dealing with this for so long that we now joke that I'm going into one of my "Crazy episodes". I'm not on any medications at this time but you may need to look into that if you are new to this. I've been dealing with a mixture of OCD and anxiety attacks all of my life. OCD and anxiety as a child until about 11-12y/o and full- blown anxiety attacks at about 24 y/o (end of college). Hope this helps. Drop me a line if you need to talk. You will not die from an anxiety attack! Things will get better! Keep fighting!

[omoplata]

I can totally relate to this. I went from thinking that I had heart problems, kidney failure, liver disease, oral cancer and what not. Gar is absolutely correct. A visit to your doc for a chat, physical and some bloodwork will get you on the path to feeling better.

[Malyn]

Does anybody get lightheaded all the time which comes with Anxiety. This is one of my major problem. I can't stand in line for a long time because I feel out of balance

[rhar]

Does anybody get lightheaded all the time which comes with Anxiety. This is one of my major problem. I can't stand in line for a long time because I feel out of balance

Omg this is so me!!!! I feel lightheaded and faint all the time. Going out for meals and things is horrid

[jamus75]

Hi there, I have been suffering from anxiety for around 4 months, and everytime I get a panic attack, this might seem weird- I assume I have cancer. I get a headache and tenderness in my head muscles from anxiety- I think I have a tumour. I get chest pains and difficulty to breathe from anxiety- I think I have lung cancer. My heart starts going crazy due to panic attacks- I assume I'm having a heart attack and it's going to stop any minute now and I'm going to die. And much much more. Is this common? Or am I insane/actually ill of all these things? If you guys get the same, how do you deal with it? It's ruining my life.

My panic attacks are always focused on my heart and health. My heart beats fast and hard. My BP goes up. I get jittery and lightheaded. My eyes feel like they are moving when I shut them. I get spaced out and have to leave whatever situation I'm in. So no you're not crazy and if u were we would all be.

[vanessac]

Your definitely not alone I suffer from exactly the same. I find keeping busy helps if I have too much time on my hands my mind starts to look for signs of things that could be wrong. I just started yoga that definitely helps the anxiety and e couch is a great self help website that has also really helped me. I've also been seeing a therapist once a week and have found that helpful too. I got caught up in a vicious cycle but once I started to break the cycle I have started to get me life back. I've still got a way to go but I can see a way out now where as just 3 mths ago I sometimes felt as though I was stuck with no way out. Be positive and break the cycle you can do it!!!!!