Going to the GP about my health anxiety - need reassurance that I am fit and healthy, that the stress is not killing me

I have finally summoned the courage to visit the GP about long standing aches and pains (on and off for 10 years), bodily tension, that I believe is caused by my anxiety. I am thinking about pain all the time, and look out for it even when it isn't there. Minor aches are always magnified in my mind. Having a logical mind, though, I know that a medical will provide the reasurance that I need. If my vital functions are shown to be normal, and if my symptoms are simply caused by anxiety and panic, then CBT will be far more effective - because I will have proof that the stress has not damaged my body.

The thing is, I never visit my GP.The last time I visited was three years ago, whenI became convinced I had *** cancer. I was sent to the hospital for a scan, and there was nothing there. The GP himself told me I was fine, but he knew I wanted reassurance. I hate having hypochondria/health anxiety, and I fear death all the time. I am hoping that this GP visit will cure me of my health anxiety.

Parents
  • Hi Hope - I'm pleased things worked out so well for you at the doctor's - it was worth going, wasn't it?  Now you can focus on working to overcome your anxiety.

    Autism 2 - I'm sure you know that beta blockers are commonly used to treat anxiety, esp for those who get panic attacks, so they do have their uses, especially for those who've tried other methods to overcome anxiety/panic but haven't succeeded.  Yes, Britain can be an unfair country in a number of ways + the unfairness is being made worse by the economic crisis, but many other countries are far more unfair than this 1. At least we don't have to pay for private health insurance (yet).

Reply
  • Hi Hope - I'm pleased things worked out so well for you at the doctor's - it was worth going, wasn't it?  Now you can focus on working to overcome your anxiety.

    Autism 2 - I'm sure you know that beta blockers are commonly used to treat anxiety, esp for those who get panic attacks, so they do have their uses, especially for those who've tried other methods to overcome anxiety/panic but haven't succeeded.  Yes, Britain can be an unfair country in a number of ways + the unfairness is being made worse by the economic crisis, but many other countries are far more unfair than this 1. At least we don't have to pay for private health insurance (yet).

Children
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