Hey guys.

[Lucy7]

My name is Lucy, I'm 24 and I'm from Leeds UK.

I have been reading the forum for a while and thought I'd join. I have suffered with anxiety for about 5 years now. Mostly it's health anxiety, I worry almost every day that there's something wrong with me. Like a lot of people on here I monitor every change in my body and worry about anything and everything. I try to reassure myself that it's just my anxiety, but then I think what if it is something serious and I just dismiss it as anxiety symptoms? I am too scared to go to the doctors in case they find something. I haven't been since I was diagnosed with anxiety around 3/4 years ago. I have a few problems which cause me to worry, the main one being swollen lymph nodes in my neck. They sometimes cause me discomfort and because of the pain my posture isn't great. Which causes other aches and pains in my back etc.

Some days I feel absolutely fine and my anxiety is bearable. Other days I get really down and upset. I can't remember a time when I wasn't worried about something. I just wondered if anyone has any advice for me? Or if anyone has similar experiences.

Thanks for reading.

[Fourteen14]

Hi Lucy

I totally get where you are coming from.

I've had lumps and bumps, swollen this and that for many years on and off. And never dare go to the doctors for fear of being told I was terminal (many years on I'm still alive :) )

Nowadays, I work around medical staff and constantly pester them to check mouth ulcers, moles, sensations in my legs, blood sugar you name it.
(I use humour and the "hypochondriac card" but deep down the worries are still there). The difference is I'm now aware they are irrational and can manage it most of the time.

(Having direct access to doctors does actually fuel it, but it's better than scaring yourself to death on google) :) One of my very good friends is a GP, he once said to me that the root of health anxiety is when "you know too much about symptoms and not enough about the reality of conditions" . Which, if we are honest in the majority of cases he is probably right.

What I would say is, I've worked with several professionals from the mental health teams in the area you live (I am also a northerner) and they have been wonderful!!

CBT is by far (in my opinion) the most effective treatment of health anxiety.

Personally, I would (take the risk) and book to see your GP, explain your fears over your health (it's extremely unlikely given your age that you will have anything life threatening), which will indeed will put your mind at rest (for a while), but you can ask for a referral to one of the IAPT teams in Leeds, who will help you.

You are still very young, and by not actively tackling the anxiety now, you will only waste the fun and frivolous years ahead of you.

[Anne1221]

I agree with Fourteen. Go ahead and see the doctor. It's so much better to face the fear rather than have it control your whole life.
I always am open with doctors, "Well, I am a very anxious person and I was afraid to mention this so I hope you can help me".

[Dahila]

Lucy welcome to the forum, and yes go to doctor. Just for peace of mind:) We all can relate:)

[Lucy7]

Thanks for replying guys, really appreciate it. It's good to talk to people who understand, I don't really talk to anyone about my anxiety. I find it difficult because unless you've been affected by it I don't think you can truly understand.

Fourteen14 thank you for your advice, it's really helped. I know that if I go to see my doctor then I will feel much better, I'm just too scared. Sounds silly I know. She was really good with me last time too, but I just can't get past the fear. Is there anyone other than a doctor that I could talk to about my anxiety? I feel like I need to get a lot off my chest.

Thanks again:)

[Fourteen14]

Hi Lucy

There are several access teams in your area that deal with anxiety at all levels.

Often you do need a referral if you are accessing via the NHS, but there are places you can self refer, but depends on where you live. You could contact the self referal no. on the Leeds counselling website, they should hopefully be able to help you.

http://www.leedscounselling.org.uk/nhs-patients-iapt/

There is also http://www.mind.org.uk that do take private (non GP) referal for a reduced rate service.

That said, I know you are afraid of going to the GP, but it really kills two birds with one stone. It is the best way to access a wide range of treatment options, and it's highly likely they will put your mind at ease on the health worries.

Look at it from this way, in the VERY unlikely event that something was actually physically wrong with you (your worst fears realised) what will this worrying change about it? If there IS something wrong it needs treating, and the likelihood that NOTHING will be wrong, and you leave happier with access to therapy.

Visiting the GP is a WIN/WIN, not going a) makes it more complicated to access treatment, and leaves you wondering "what if".

Don't let those worries fester any longer at the back of your mind, take the risk and kick the worry into touch!

I vote for the GP! (They see this kind of thing EVERY DAY) a quarter of the population are nervous wrecks these days :)

[Ritch]

I think fourteen has pretty much nailed it with his advice, go see the GP and take it from there. h

I'm under a mental health team in south Yorkshire, this gives me access to a range of different services when they are required. If you have any questions feel free to ask :)

[JohnC]

Hi Lucy7,
This many people can't be wrong. Go see your GP and take a load of stress off of yourself. I am just like you with the health thing and I do wait to go to the doc. but after I finally go I am so relieved. It's tough I know but Fourteen is correct. we will cheer you on, LOL.

[Lucy7]

I'm really thankful for everyone's advice. I'm gonna book to see my GP next Thursday on my day off. I will let you know how it goes. I think the thing that helps me most with my anxiety is just being able to talk about it. It's difficult when you have all this going on every day and you can't talk to anyone. I already feel better for talking to you guys, so thank you. :)

[Lucy7]

Hey guys, thought I would give a little update on this.

It took me a while but I finally went to see my GP last week. Unfortunately the doctor who I usually see has left the practice, and so I had to see a different doctor. The doctor who I saw wasn't very helpful at all, he didn't really listen to anything I had to say and he just prescribed me anti-depressants. I know they work for some people but I genuinely don't think they would benefit me. I am not depressed at all. On top of this I don't like taking any medication at all (bad experiences), unless absolutely necessary. I have another appointment with the same doctor next week, he said he will refer me for counselling. So that's good.

I haven't been feeling too well recently, for the past 2/3 weeks I've had a pain in the left side of my stomach just below my ribs. It seemed to get worse so I visited the walk in doctors yesterday. The doctor I saw was really nice, he did some tests and he prescribed me anti biotics for a kidney infection. Today I feel quite poorly, swollen glands and sore eyes etc.. But I'm hoping the anti biotics will take effect in the next day or so.

Overall I'm glad I got over my fear of going to the doctor, hopefully I'll be doing much better in the next couple of weeks.