I'm not sure how it happened but suddenly I am very aware of every little twinge in my body. I had a hysterectomy a year and a half ago, then a breast biopsy last year - both turned out fine but since that time I am so afraid of becoming ill. Then my in-laws passed away in December and I was thrust into severe anxiety. I have always been an anxious person, even as a child but I was never a hypochondriac until lately. I am on lesson 8 now and having a real struggle with the positive self-talk. I am feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. My husband feels that I am showing some improvement but I just don't feel it. Is hypochondria a symptom of anxiety?

This is a good question. I have always been a hypochondriac. I can remember as a small child I told my Mom my chest hurt and I was going to die. She laughed! Her Mom--my Gramma--told my Mom to get me some help because I was like that when I stayed with her and she felt me to have an anxiety problem. My Mom just thought I was going through some normal childhood phase. She looks back now and says she wishes she would have done something for me and maybe my life would have been easier. My Mom feels bad for all the suffering I have done and all the pain I have been in. She said it is hard enough to live in this world when one is well, add an anxiety disorder and it must be hell...she is right.

I would say yes, it is a symptom of anxiety because what hypochondriasis means is that we tend to look 'inward' too much and we add scary, negative self talk to the mix and BOOM...we are in high anxiety.

When my anxiety first surfaced, I was going from organ to organ. First it was a brain tumor, than it was my heart, than it was my lungs...I went from organ to organ.

Perhaps your surgeries sensitized you and on top of that the death of you in-laws was the straw that broke the camels back. Now, your mind is looking for a way to cope with their death and it is throwing bad-health thoughts your way as our anxiety is our minds way of distracting ourselves from something we don't want to deal with. Both of your in-laws passing on at the same time must have been overwhelming! I never had anyone close to me die...I don't know how one handles a situation as such, I am truly sorry to read this

Hang in there,

~Angel

Angel - You make a lot of sense, I think my surgeries really put a scare in me. My in-laws deaths 4 days apart just threw me over the edge. I find myself constantly obsessing about my health. My mother, who is now 82, was anxious too and I think I probably learned the behaviors from her. I catastrophize everything. I just feel like I'm walking around with a dark cloud over my head and I'll never see the sun again (ironically, it is snowing here now!). The positive self-talk doesn't seem to help because I really don't believe it yet. Thanks for writing, its nice to have the support.

There is a good chance that one can oversome this problem. Here are a couple of suggestions. Start a special pretty pocket journal. Paste in a couple of pictures of yourself that really look good. Underneath write: This is a picture of health. Now journal the surgery's you had briefly with as little negative detail as possible. Then, write positive outcome. Every time you feel you may have a health problem write it down w/o deltail. That way you are not dwelling on it. Now list the positive side of it. Example: I have no facts. I am just into my body more than others but I am mentally getting stronger each day. If you believe it is important enough to go to a doctor, find one that you are comfortable talking to and admit to him your problem. Ask him to be upfront with you. If it is a real health concern then tell you. If it's not tell you that also. Next, when you find it's not a health problem write it down. Next time you get the symtoms look in your notebook to confirm the positive.
If it is a health problem that write it down with a positive statement. "I went to the doctor in time and I can do such and such and I will get some relief." If it's serious, "It's okay to show concern, I can go for a second opinion and there are other approches to treating illness such as alternative med. I have choices. When ever you have a hour(s)you feel good write down in your notes, "I feel great health and alive." Use dates. Get in the habit to always journal when you feel good.
When loved ones have died it is natural to feel emotional pain for the loss and concern over it being heritary. Write that down. Then write, "their habits may have been different. I do not smoke, use caffine, limit suggar and so forth. I excercise, I have improved my life style. I live a healthy physical and mental life." View humorous video's and laugh. You are alive now and you are grateful in the moment.
Don't feel so bad about feeling your ill. Start feeling good that you are here and have feelings. That means your alive!
Hope these suggestions help! Let me know.

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Victoria

Victoria - Your post made me feel so good. Thank you for taking the time to post it. I am working very hard at it, I guess for me its just a matter of believing it.