Newbie here

[ilovejake]

I'm 18 years old. So I'm battling really bad health anxiety. I've basically been convinced I've had cancer for many months. I had bumps on my head - thought it was a brain tumor. Went to the doctor - it was dermatitis. Just went to the doctor because I thought I felt a bump on my neck - went to doctor - was told it was just my lymph nodes and within 3 minutes of talking to me she could tell I suffer from really bad anxiety and put me on a pill.

I have been really stressed since about July, between work and college. I've lost about 10 pounds so I now weigh about 110 pounds (if I'm lucky), I usually weigh less than that by a few pounds. Wondering if you guys have experienced weight loss with anxiety/stress. I just have less of an appetite but still force myself to eat every meal. My skin has bruised easier, mainly my legs, which of course triggers fearing cancer again but I'm sure it is probably from losing weight. I also take a multivitamin which leads to my body getting rid of the access vitamins my body doesn't need - could that be a reason I'm losing weight?

Anyways just needed to talk to somebody about things. See if you guys have any tips. I have no family support with my anxiety, they think it's a joke :( Hope I can find any advice from here. Thanks guys.

[Saldav]

I'm 18 years old. So I'm battling really bad health anxiety. I've basically been convinced I've had cancer for many months. I had bumps on my head - thought it was a brain tumor. Went to the doctor - it was dermatitis. Just went to the doctor because I thought I felt a bump on my neck - went to doctor - was told it was just my lymph nodes and within 3 minutes of talking to me she could tell I suffer from really bad anxiety and put me on a pill.

I have been really stressed since about July, between work and college. I've lost about 10 pounds so I now weigh about 110 pounds (if I'm lucky), I usually weigh less than that by a few pounds. Wondering if you guys have experienced weight loss with anxiety/stress. I just have less of an appetite but still force myself to eat every meal. My skin has bruised easier, mainly my legs, which of course triggers fearing cancer again but I'm sure it is probably from losing weight. I also take a multivitamin which leads to my body getting rid of the access vitamins my body doesn't need - could that be a reason I'm losing weight?

Anyways just needed to talk to somebody about things. See if you guys have any tips. I have no family support with my anxiety, they think it's a joke :( Hope I can find any advice from here. Thanks guys.
Anxiety makes the mind worry about everything, if the dr. says you dont have cancer they must be right, its just your anxiety that makes you feel scared of the worse case scenario. With anxiety/depression you lose your appetite, what you need to do is eat a little something every couple hrs to wake up your metabalism. Ive been going through the same appetite thing, i've lost 30 lbs but i'm a big guy. Feel free to PM any questions that you have, i'll try my best to answer them. We are all here to help each other. Your not alone :)

[mw0929]

I'm 18 years old. So I'm battling really bad health anxiety. I've basically been convinced I've had cancer for many months. I had bumps on my head - thought it was a brain tumor. Went to the doctor - it was dermatitis. Just went to the doctor because I thought I felt a bump on my neck - went to doctor - was told it was just my lymph nodes and within 3 minutes of talking to me she could tell I suffer from really bad anxiety and put me on a pill.

I have been really stressed since about July, between work and college. I've lost about 10 pounds so I now weigh about 110 pounds (if I'm lucky), I usually weigh less than that by a few pounds. Wondering if you guys have experienced weight loss with anxiety/stress. I just have less of an appetite but still force myself to eat every meal. My skin has bruised easier, mainly my legs, which of course triggers fearing cancer again but I'm sure it is probably from losing weight. I also take a multivitamin which leads to my body getting rid of the access vitamins my body doesn't need - could that be a reason I'm losing weight?

Anyways just needed to talk to somebody about things. See if you guys have any tips. I have no family support with my anxiety, they think it's a joke :( Hope I can find any advice from here. Thanks guys.

I'm sorry you are going through such a hard time. It is even harder when you don't have your family's support. I'm not entirely sure why you would be losing weight but I have found that I cannot gain weight. The reason I don't gain weight is because I am scared to eat certain foods or eat too much because my anxiety is bad when I'm really full. I think it has something to do with my acid reflux. Stress does affect our digestive system so that could be a reason you're losing weight. Try eating more protein enriched foods like fish, chicken, almonds, etc. Or you can drink a protein supplement. If this really scares you, ask your doc.

[agraves911]

Have you been tested for anemia? I have and it's no big deal.just makes you sleepy and pale and bruise easily. Really not a big deal. A simple blood test can rule it out. If you have it you can just take an iron supplement.

[ilovejake]

Have you been tested for anemia? I have and it's no big deal.just makes you sleepy and pale and bruise easily. Really not a big deal. A simple blood test can rule it out. If you have it you can just take an iron supplement.

I have not been tested for anemia yet, but I am going to be. I have bruised easier. I currently take a multivitamin that has iron in it, does it help with the bruising? Or do you still bruise the same?

[agraves911]

I should help a but. So people just bruise easily. You could also try eating food with iron in it like spinach or red meat.

[ilovejake]

I should help a but. So people just bruise easily. You could also try eating food with iron in it like spinach or red meat.

Did you experience any other symptoms for anemia?

[agraves911]

No I just get cold easily, tired easily and bruise easily.

[sunnythinks]

Hello!

Sometimes all we need is someone to listen to our fears. I suffer from extreme health anxiety as well and like you, I have to deal with it alone; my family thinks it's a joke, too.

I've found that writing about it makes me feel better. You may want to think about taking up a diary or journal where you can vent. Most importantly, try not to be too hung up on being sick. Our minds are powerful: if we think something is wrong with us, our bodies will follow suit. I know this all too well.

[mommyof2]

You are def not alone. I lost about 30 pounds in a month from my anxiety. I couldn't eat anything and the the thought of food made me sick. I felt as if I was literally going to die. I to have a fear of cancer and any other serious illness. It bothers me cuz everyday something is wrong with me and I freak out and fear the worst. I have been put on medication which has helped me a lot. I still have those thoughts of cancer and other illnesses but there def not as bad as they uses to be. I am back to eating and gained some of the weight back. Just keep your head up and know you are not alone. If you need someone to talk to I am here