Stress Center Peer Support

Hi, I have had the program for quite some time now. At times I feel that I am better and I am definately functioning. My problem is that i am a big hypochondriac. I worry about health problems constantly. I have been to ER's, i have had stress tests etc... and everything comes back normal. The problem is when i am having pains in my chest or if i feel i have a pain in my arm or whatever i am convinced it is a heart attack. I worry so much "what if" and i can't believe that anxiety could cause those feelings. I don't know why i can't accept that it is anxiety but i just don't believe it. I don't really even believe the Drs. sometimes. Any advice would be so appreciated. I just think that i will never get over this.

Focusing on whether or not it is anxiety is a trick of the ego-thinking mind. It's another way for "it" to keep you stuck in your pain. Don't give it any energy. It's not important to know what it is. You have all the classic symptoms. Just work the program the way it was designed. You'll see change and growth with continued work.

Thank you. I guess my biggest fear is what if it really is heart attack (or whatever else I imagine that day) and then I just write it off as anxiety and something terrible happens. I guess for some reason I have this terrible fear of dying and I don" know why. I do try self talk but the problem is that I really don't belive myself. Thanks again.

Does Stress Ctr still do phone consults? If so, I recommend speaking to them for a few minutes.

When I was feeling "stuck"--they helped me to get a new perspective. I called and they made an appointment to call me back later in the day. I thought it was really efficient and well done.

There will be a time to explore your fear of death a bit more--but let go a little. Being a control freak will probably not reduce your chances of a heart attack .

hi ctina i have the same problem i guess im in denial that its anxiety i seem to have a new body symptom everyday i go to er,s doctors and they all say its anxiety my therapist says that i always have to keep that in mind when i have these body symptoms that i catastrophize (spell check) that it is just anxiety i also need to work on my fear of death as well majority of people with anxiety have health anxiety your not alone

Hi Ctina,
I am exactly the same way. As a matter of fact I have already been to the er 2 times in the past 2 weeks, been to the doctors at least 4 times every week. I feel I am determined to find something wrong with me. I also feel as though something else is causing this. As you, all I get is the same reply, "its anxiety". I am no seeing different doctors and I am still determined to find a cause. I have a hugh fear of death and I am a hugh "what if" person. I feel ya, I know what your going through.

i have the same denial...ive been listening to the tapes, and im just telling myself that they're not going to help, and i don't really listen. i don't want to believe it's just anxiety, i want to believe it is something bigger and worse. i don't know how to figth this or what is normal to think.

i think we really want to believe it's something physical. thats a WHOLE lot easier to fix.

wow, if i could put into words my anxiety and how i feel about it, it would be exactly those. i didnt ever know that i was the only one who had chest pains and arm pains .. and i am 20. please help me get thru this!

Take a deep breath and think of what it is that makes you happy and where you would like to be. What helps me is thinking of silly things that I have done with friends that make me smile.

One day at a time, keep the faith

-Colleen