Severe health anxiety, advice please??

artisto101

Hello, I don’t think I’ve posted on here before and I really hope I am in the right place. Before I explain my issue I just hope nothing I say comes off as disrespectful towards people with actual cancer.

This all started back in March when I found out my friends Mom had breast cancer. That night I felt a sharp pain in the left side of my breast and I had a tiny dream that pain was breast cancer. Since then I have been at constant worry that I have or am slowly developing it in that side. I know that sounds goofy but I actually read a report on how dreams predict cancer for this school assignment a week after I had my dream which is what set me off in worry (horrible timing!!)

I am only 20 so I know I shouldn’t worry too much, I saw a doctor 6 months ago and said my breasts were normal. But I always feel hard and soft lumps deep in my breasts and I just become so worried... I am very flat chested and my doctor told me to stop giving myself exams because it would be so easy to feel things others wouldn’t be be able to feel and it would just freak me out (she was right ) each month I will feel a new lump and just freak out about it and assume it’s a tumor.

It’s very hard for me to be happy or look forward to the future because I am so paranoid that I could have cancer I feel like I cannot enjoy anything anymore. And what’s even worse is if I were to ever have cancer, I know my whole life would fall apart since I can’t even function with the health anxiety I currently have.

Has anyone ever gone through this? This fear has interrupted things that make me happy in life (working out I stopped, eating right I stopped, being social I stopped) I’ve been doing a little better these days but it’s always in the back of my head, I have no one to talk to about this. I really appreciate any advice anyone can give me, thank you very much.

MelissaDallas

You need to talk to your doctor about your anxiety. It is very treatable and there is absolutely no reason to be miserable and unable to function. Your breasts aren’t the problem.

WC3

Sometimes thinking through how you would handle a situation if it did happen can help alleviate unhealthy anxiety about it.

Also, if you check your breasts too often it can be difficult to discern changes.

AliceBastable

Are you in college? There should be someone, a counselor or nurse practioner, who can help you find perspective on your health anxiety.

JoTheGreek

Whatever you do, hun, never cease working out and eating right as these two parameters are pivotal for breast health!  And also avoid liquor as much as you can

Michelle_in_cornland

Definitely see a social worker that can help with this behavior. Stay away from alcohol, because it can increase your breast cancer risk, eat a healthy diet and get some exercise. The average age of breast cancer diagnosis is 57...Live your life.

christina0001

Health related anxiety is pretty common, you are not alone! You may want to consider cognitive behavioral therapy. Short term therapy (weeks or a few months, not years) is often enough to retrain the brain to respond in a more healthful and positive way. Your doctor can surely refer you to a therapist. If you are attending school at a larger university, there may even be counseling services on campus. Good luck!

buttonsmachine

artisto101, when I was your age I also had health anxiety.

Looking back, I see now that I spent a lot of time worrying unnecessarily. I wish I could have told my younger self to just enjoy my youth and my health, to live life to the fullest, and to be grateful for each day. The future isn't certain for anyone - cancer or no cancer - it's just the human condition. After my diagnosis I gradually learned to live in the moment more, and worry about the future less. I thought a cancer diagnosis would make me fall apart, but that's actually not what happened. I turned out to be much stronger and more resilient than I ever knew. You are too.

Anyway, I hope you can find someone to help you with your anxiety. Try to find a person who specializes in treating anxiety disorders, if possible. Hugs and best wishes to you.