Hypochondria

[Goomba]

Sorry about the name error. Autocorrect hates me.

Very much so.

If the questions are entertained, I promise I am only aiming to help.

[Goomba]

Since it seems there is confusion, to clarify -

I wasn't trying to be rude, I just believe people should come to their own conclusions, an not have their beliefs told to them (not saying you were doing that, getwell. I just didn't want to).

I suspect (but am not certain) your answer to the issue behind having a heart attack would have something to do with dieing.

I then would have asked you what are the issues around the death? Common themes are not having yet lived, fear of ceasing to exist, wanting to have more experiences, etc.

Your answer to that question, in my opinion, is what is fueling your hypochondria, and causing the intensity/fear behind your symptoms.

In summary, the fear is not actually of a heart attack, but is of death. The heart attack stuff is symptoms of the bigger fear. In hypochondria, treating the physical manifestations loses sight of the bigger picture, and often the bigger issues continues to manifest in other ways throughout the body. I believe you have begun to see that with the weird laughing sensation you brought up. Alleviating the issue with heart attacks is only a temporary solution.

Also, getwell has been spot on with not driving yourself crazy by drastically changing your diet right away. The stress from trying to eat perfect is more immediately damaging than eating something that isn't 100% healthy. YOU NEED TO EAT. So, make sure you continue to do so to get nutrition.

Diet changes are lifestyle changes. The effects good or bad take time to manifest in a way you can feel.

You're learning to make better choices now, which will transform your life in the long run.

[TrueTimmy]

Since it seems there is confusion, to clarify -

I wasn't trying to be rude, I just believe people should come to their own conclusions, an not have their beliefs told to them (not saying you were doing that, getwell. I just didn't want to).

I suspect (but am not certain) your answer to the issue behind having a heart attack would have something to do with dieing.

I then would have asked you what are the issues around the death? Common themes are not having yet lived, fear of ceasing to exist, wanting to have more experiences, etc.

Your answer to that question, in my opinion, is what is fueling your hypochondria, and causing the intensity/fear behind your symptoms.

In summary, the fear is not actually of a heart attack, but is of death. The heart attack stuff is symptoms of the bigger fear. In hypochondria, treating the physical manifestations loses sight of the bigger picture, and often the bigger issues continues to manifest in other ways throughout the body. I believe you have begun to see that with the weird laughing sensation you brought up. Alleviating the issue with heart attacks is only a temporary solution.

Also, getwell has been spot on with not driving yourself crazy by drastically changing your diet right away. The stress from trying to eat perfect is more immediately damaging than eating something that isn't 100% healthy. YOU NEED TO EAT. So, make sure you continue to do so to get nutrition.

Diet changes are lifestyle changes. The effects good or bad take time to manifest in a way you can feel.

You're learning to make better choices now, which will transform your life in the long run.

My grandpa was like a father to me. He had a heart attack like 3 years ago, he recovered, and he was okay but then he developed dementia, and we literally had no choice but to put him in a nursing home because he was aggressive and confused. He died in April. He was like my dad, I lived with him my whole life. Now, I started to realized. Holy crap, my diet is junk food. I'm going to have a heart attack, I'm having symptoms of it.

[needtogetwell]

Since it seems there is confusion, to clarify - I wasn't trying to be rude, I just believe people should come to their own conclusions, an not have their beliefs told to them (not saying you were doing that, getwell. I just didn't want to). I suspect (but am not certain) your answer to the issue behind having a heart attack would have something to do with dieing. I then would have asked you what are the issues around the death? Common themes are not having yet lived, fear of ceasing to exist, wanting to have more experiences, etc. Your answer to that question, in my opinion, is what is fueling your hypochondria, and causing the intensity/fear behind your symptoms. In summary, the fear is not actually of a heart attack, but is of death. The heart attack stuff is symptoms of the bigger fear. In hypochondria, treating the physical manifestations loses sight of the bigger picture, and often the bigger issues continues to manifest in other ways throughout the body. I believe you have begun to see that with the weird laughing sensation you brought up. Alleviating the issue with heart attacks is only a temporary solution. Also, getwell has been spot on with not driving yourself crazy by drastically changing your diet right away. The stress from trying to eat perfect is more immediately damaging than eating something that isn't 100% healthy. YOU NEED TO EAT. So, make sure you continue to do so to get nutrition. Diet changes are lifestyle changes. The effects good or bad take time to manifest in a way you can feel. You're learning to make better choices now, which will transform your life in the long run.

Goomba

Nice explanation. You have kept in mind that Tim is still 17, and not only is dealing with anxiety, also dealing with the death of a father figure. Not to mention the typical everyday stuff of a 17 year old.

I think you are quite on the mark about his grandfathers death and what is fueling this period of anxiety. I was simply trying to help him deal with something that is a little more tangible at this point. And that he can see successes very easily. Dealing with what you point out will definitely be a more delicate process but one which I firmly believe Tim will be able to do with time.

Thanks for the kind mention.

[Goomba]

I'm sorry to hear that. I experienced something very similar. It's definitely not easy.

So, what perspective did your grandfather'a death give you on life?

What issues do you have with dieing?

Notice how you had the thought, the recognition of fear of having a heart attacks and then the symptoms developed. That is the grand placebo effect of hypochondria. Though the symptoms are very real experiences, they have no basis in poor physical health.

Understand that junk food does not cause heart attacks. Decades of poor habits may begin to lead to heart disease, but even that does not indicate definitive heart disease.

If you haven't seen one, a doctor can provide excellent perspective on where you health actually lies.

There is no use in sitting around wondering. Take actions to challenge your beliefs. Begin to build the health, but more importantly, life, you desire. Someone could be diagnosed with heart disease and live decades longer, with no crippling issues. The same individuals best friend can be in perfect health, but die days after said individual's diagnosis due to a car accident.

Live today, not tomorrow.

[Goomba]

Goomba Nice explanation. You have kept in mind that Tim is still 17, and not only is dealing with anxiety, also dealing with the death of a father figure. Not to mention the typical everyday stuff of a 17 year old. I think you are quite on the mark about his grandfathers death and what is fueling this period of anxiety. I was simply trying to help him deal with something that is a little more tangible at this point. And that he can see successes very easily. Dealing with what you point out will definitely be a more delicate process but one which I firmly believe Tim will be able to do with time. Thanks for the kind mention.

By no means did I want to take away from the discussion you two were having.

I think your contributions are great, and I wish I had someone like you that I could have bounced ideas off of when I was at my worst.

As someone who went through years of a hypochondria, I was aiming to add some perspective for whenever he is ready to tackle it.

[needtogetwell]

By no means did I want to take away from the discussion you two were having. I think your contributions are great, and I wish I had someone like you that I could have bounced ideas off of when I was at my worst. As someone who went through years of a hypochondria, I was aiming to add some perspective for whenever he is ready to tackle it.

Your perspective on hypochondria is probably better than mine.

Tim you have got a pretty good duo here. We both have experienced is the areas that are troubling you, together we can help guide you through. You just have to speak up if either of us is overloading you with information. Deal?

[TrueTimmy]

By no means did I want to take away from the discussion you two were having.

I think your contributions are great, and I wish I had someone like you that I could have bounced ideas off of when I was at my worst.

As someone who went through years of a hypochondria, I was aiming to add some perspective for whenever he is ready to tackle it.

I had a one of the best days I've had in a long time. Thank you, you really did help me with your reply. You and the other lady did. Thank you for your reply. It's nice to have someone to understand what hypochondria is. I've been to the doctor, he didn't run any test. But he thought I was fine. I got one of those fit bits, and it says my heart rate right now is 76. That's good.

[TrueTimmy]

Hey! So, my grandmother is going to the grocery store to get some food to cook. Tonight she said she would make me spaghetti. I like my Spaghetti with plain tomato sauce, garlic bread, and milk. Does that sound like a healthy meal?

[NixonRulz]

Uh, no

Skip the bread and do multi grain or whole wheat pasta then it becomes not horrible