A safe place for anxiety sufferers to share.

I take Klonopin for my anxiety....works well, but it is very hard on the nervous system.

Positive vibes to you dude.
Are you able to remove the bottle(s) of rum from your house?
Less tempting.
I learned about health anxiety this year at university, wish there was more I could tell you to help. We just got taught the treatments available, not how to provide that treatment.

RogueStoner said:

Thoughts_Arrive said:

Positive vibes to you dude.
Are you able to remove the bottle(s) of rum from your house?
Less tempting.
I learned about health anxiety this year at university, wish there was more I could tell you to help. We just got taught the treatments available, not how to provide that treatment.

Can you explain it from an academic standpoint? I'm curious about things like the diagnosis criteria. 

Sure,
Formerly known as "hypochondrias".
Physical symptoms are either experienced or not experienced or are very mild but severe anxiety focused on the possibility of having or developing a serious disease.
Shares many features with anxiety and mood disorders.
Person misinterprets bodily symptoms as disease or illness.
Person often goes to family physicians and remain unconvinced and unreassured when told they are healthy ("Disease conviction" a key feature of this disorder, the person is absolutely convinced they have a serious disease).
Reassurances from numerous doctors have a short-term effect.
Person is likely to demand unnecessary medical treatments.
The focus is on the long-term process of an illness and disease rather than immediate symptom related catastrophes as seen in panic disorder where the person thinks they are having a heart attack.

Has a later age of onset because more physical health problems occur at a later age (with ageing) 
Comorbidity with mood and anxiety disorders.
Occurs in women more so, 2:1 ratio.
Is chronic.

Causes include:
Faulty interpretation of physical signs and sensations (disorders of cognition or perception with strong emotional contributions).
Focusing attention on self increases arousal and makes the physical sensations seem more intense than they are.
Enhanced perceptual sensitivity to illness cues even if cues are ambiguous.
Causes similar to those in anxiety disorders.
Runs in families (moderate genetic contributions)
Learned from family members.
In response to stressor (death or illness).
Had a disproportionate incidence of disease in their family when they were children.
Social, interpersonal influence - learning that being sick gets you attention (not suggesting OP is doing this)

Treatment options:
Explanatory therapy for mild cases (clinician goes over the source and origin of symptoms).
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (focus on identifying and challenging illness-related misinterpretations of physical sensations and on showing patients how to create “symptoms” by focusing attention on certain body areas).
Exposure Therapy - without avoidance and safety behaviours such as checking or seeking reassurance
Medication (SSRIs)
Reducing frequency of help-seeking behaviours
Reassurance from therapist as well as education 

RogueStoner said:

Natashapearljamfan said:

Natashapearljamfan said:

lastexitlondon said:

Ok i will try again today. I have half bottle of rum staring at me. But i promise i will for today leave it there

I'm thinking of you and know that you can be strong for you....is the run hidden out of view, sometimes that helps. 
We are all here for you, lastexit, and we believe in you.

Sleep sounds like a good option. Is your partner there? Can you get a hug? 

This may sound weird, but when I had my panic attack yesterday, that's the first thing I did...went to my friends close by and collected hugs. It really did help. There's something about the pressure that actually relieves anxiety. I got the idea from Temple Grandin and her work with cows (just go with it, lol) and I believe is also the theory behind things like weighted blankets to calm autistic children. What I'm trying to say is hugs help. Humans help (not all, but enough). I'm glad you're reaching out. It takes courage. 
And since I got this yesterday, I'm passing it forward to those who need it today....

That's SO cool that you point that out, RS!  I remember reading about (and seeing in the movie) how Temple Grandin used that pressure device for cows but forgot that she used it on herself but never made the connection with hugs.  Nice! 

brianlux said:

RogueStoner said:

Natashapearljamfan said:

Natashapearljamfan said:

lastexitlondon said:

Ok i will try again today. I have half bottle of rum staring at me. But i promise i will for today leave it there

I'm thinking of you and know that you can be strong for you....is the run hidden out of view, sometimes that helps. 
We are all here for you, lastexit, and we believe in you.

Sleep sounds like a good option. Is your partner there? Can you get a hug? 

This may sound weird, but when I had my panic attack yesterday, that's the first thing I did...went to my friends close by and collected hugs. It really did help. There's something about the pressure that actually relieves anxiety. I got the idea from Temple Grandin and her work with cows (just go with it, lol) and I believe is also the theory behind things like weighted blankets to calm autistic children. What I'm trying to say is hugs help. Humans help (not all, but enough). I'm glad you're reaching out. It takes courage. 
And since I got this yesterday, I'm passing it forward to those who need it today....

That's SO cool that you point that out, RS!  I remember reading about (and seeing in the movie) how Temple Grandin used that pressure device for cows but forgot that she used it on herself but never made the connection with hugs.  Nice! 

Thanks! So cool that you knew my reference!

lastexitlondon said:

Making that first step for the hundredth time. 
Desperately trying but sinking in a world of symptoms. 
If i can just push some more again but i can't seem to. Even getting a hair cut ended before i could leave the house i look like barry gibb ffs. Just couldn't do it. Meant to try swimming again. Just couldn't leave my flat.

Give yourself points for every first step, and every time trying, lastexit.  Giving yourself credit for your efforts is OK!  (Sometimes I have to remind myself to do that.)

brianlux said:

lastexitlondon said:

Making that first step for the hundredth time. 
Desperately trying but sinking in a world of symptoms. 
If i can just push some more again but i can't seem to. Even getting a hair cut ended before i could leave the house i look like barry gibb ffs. Just couldn't do it. Meant to try swimming again. Just couldn't leave my flat.

Give yourself points for every first step, and every time trying, lastexit.  Giving yourself credit for your efforts is OK!  (Sometimes I have to remind myself to do that.)

I agree with Brian. You got out of bed, give yourself a point. You took a shower, give yourself a point. As difficult as it may be, try to focus on what you did do, instead of what you didn't/couldn't do. No one ever said life is easy. 

Give yourself points for starting this thread!