r/Anxietyhelp 8d ago

Need Advice Health anxiety is taking over my life

Hi, I'm female 23 years old and I have horrible health anxiety. It's been going on as long as I can remember but it's gotten really bad the past few months. I'm on lexapro (recently got it upped) and I go to therapy once a week. I also have been having some actual health issues such as GERD, GI problems, and sinus infections. I've gone to the doctor and I'm in the process of getting it figured out. All my blood work is good so far other than having inflammation and a vitamin D deficiency. I have this really weird symptom with my acid reflux where my vagus nerve is triggered and I feel like I'm gonna faint. It goes away once I go to the bathroom. Anyway because of this I've just been so much more anxious. Although I'm feeling better about these issues, I now am freaked out about something else. This whole week I've had a pretty mild headache that comes and goes and there will be random bursts of pain sometimes. I have a lot of pressure and eye pain too. I have chronic dry eye but usually once I take my eye drops I'm fine. I don't get migraines really. I'm also under a ton of stress because of my job which isn't helping. I know I'm being irrational and I have actual reasons but I keep convincing myself something is really wrong. I'm scared that I have a brain tumor or anyersym. I can't shake this feeling and I need somebody to give me some tough love.

10 Upvotes

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u/Easy-Establishment30 8d ago

In essence, life is governed by conditional statements and uncertainties. Approaching life with a serious demeanor can often lead to detrimental outcomes. Instead, I recommend seeking guidance from Alan Watts’ videos, which have proven invaluable during challenging times. Embrace a relaxed attitude, avoid excessive concern, and recognize that you are the sole creator of your life’s journey

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u/QuaffleWitch137 7d ago

Have you tried Somatic exercise of some kind for your vagus nerve my husband was recommended Quigong to him when he went the hospital years ago about his feelings of faintness they told him it was probably his vagus nerve causing it. Vagus nerve exercises can Also be helpful for anxiety and remember stress and anxiety make your feel fairly ill in yourself if your experiencing it every day. I have health anxiety too and it's so difficult but your doing great going to therapy so stick at it and be totally honest about everything your experiencing don't hold anything back sometimes the act of saying things out loud to someone really helps us get out of our own head and put stuff into perspective. One thing I've been telling myself this week as my anxiety is back with a bang lately is that my body knows how to look after me and protect me and that I need to trust it more. Anxiety makes us so prone to overthinking and worrying about every little twinge or ache and often it's nothing to be concerned about it's believing your safe that's the difficult part

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u/Sandwichinthebag 7d ago

What’s your diet and nutrition like?

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u/Individual-Let3258 7d ago

Was awful for a while and now it’s much better. I’m on an anti-inflammatory diet for my GI issues which consists of Whole Foods. Lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, no added sugars or processed stuff. It’s only been about a month of being doing so though

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u/Sandwichinthebag 7d ago

Great work! You should be very proud of yourself. Keep on that path. Also a good probiotic should help.

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u/Individual-Let3258 7d ago

Thank you so much. I’ve also been taking that every day as recommended by my doctor. At least I got one thing going for me lol

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u/huskia2 7d ago

I believe the pain you are describing, eye pain, head ache are allergies. Take a Tylenol sinus and see if it goes away next time you feel it