So I'm gonna get real with y'all for a moment.

Who else here is a hypochondriac? I've kind of always been one, usually being the first one to convince myself I have some pain or injury or disease or something. For most of my life it's always been a pretty minor thing, but in the last few months, my health anxiety has gotten way worse. I'm legitimately convinced something is wrong with me constantly. After I had my kidney stone a few weeks back, I've been having weird abdominal discomfort the past few days that I'm pretty sure is actually nothing and totally exacerbated by my anxiety.

I think it took this turn after my dad passed away earlier this year. I'm planning on going to see a psychiatrist about it, because I'm getting pretty tired of thinking/complaining about ailments that don't actually really exist/matter. I never used to be this anxious, and the anxiety only extends to thoughts about my own health (I'm not socially anxious or even worried about minor every day things).

Anyone else been there with this kind of problem? Any advice?

I fucking hate hypochondriacs.

^ Cool. I would appreciate anyone who has actual advice/something to share. Thanks all.

Ever since I started med school I've kind of become one.

It sucks but it also helps tosee a doctor and tell him everything you feel and he'll tell you're fine

God does exist and he hates us.

My boyfriend doesn't have hypochondria, but he likes to claim he's either sick or getting sick over most things (recent drop in temperature, random bug bite, window left open, walking in the rain/snow, knowing someone else who's already sick, some body pain, etc.). Very long list of things.

I always tell him if he keeps thinking he's sick or getting sick, that he more than likely will get sick. And if he just tells himself that he won't (I say can't) get sick, then he more than likely won't (can't) get sick. Mind over matter, more or less. He says he doesn't believe that, but I think he's grown to believe so (helps since he knows besides a cold I had for 2 days earlier this year, I haven't been sick in almost 10 years) and it usually helps to keep his mind off of being sick.

Maybe you could try something like this.

Damn it, Libs. I have troubles of my own. I recently invested in Mexican candy, but my deal for shipping fell through. Now I have a warehouse full of fresh and delicious fudge in Tijuana, and no one to put it in boxes and ship it stateside. If only I could find one good man in Mexico willing to pack fudge for an honest wage!

I experienced a minor heart attack there, too.

Do some light exercises. Learn some relaxation techniques. Find some diversions to concentrate on.

I've always been the opposite. I refuse to admit I'm sick when I'm actually sick, and I never bother with anything that ails me. I would think some sort of relaxing exercises would help, or just a visit to the doctor to get a checkup. If there's something wrong, your body will tell you.

Luckily Mau can help your recovery.

I had a major flipout a few years ago when I got my first real migraine, it didn't feel anything like a normal headache instead it was like, water was in my brain and my sight was skipping. So I freaked out until I got to the doctor thinking I had brain damage and could collapse and die at any moment

Other than that it doesn't stand out as a major problem, but I never dip below a 9 out of 10 in anxiety at any point in the day, so any hypochondriac feelings just blend in and feel par for the course I guess. When it comes to 'imagining danger' I have more problems with things like thinking a car is going to hit me or that I'm going to choke on food than feeling I'm sick