First I would like to say that I am on week 9 of the program and feel sooooo much better. I was blessed, like so many others with having insomnia one night and finding Lucinda on the TV. Thank God for the Midwest Center!!! One of the problems that I am still having is worrying about my health. I have been to several different doctors of various specialties, and they all assure me that I am healthy outside of my panic disorder. My father however has Multiple Sclerosis, and although my doctors see no evidence that I have MS, I am still afraid my panic disorder is MS. I have had all the symptoms of panic disorder and at my worst could not even get out of my back yard without having a panic attack or as I used to call it an episode. I was even able to go through a root canal(big fear of mine) without anti-anxiety medication. I just wondered if anyone has any suggestions as to overcoming my hypochondriasis. Thanks... Mary

[This message has been edited by jmjvsjones (edited 07-27-2001).]

This is wierd my mother-in-law is a hypochondria so I hope your not her (ha ha).Her name is also Mary.
Any way yes I still worry about my health. Every little pain. However I went to my DR.and he said there was nothing wrong and what else do I have to go on. I get up every day and say this WILL be a great day and I live for that day.We all know that our time will come so dont push it live for today.Trust that you are ok and you will notice that eventualy your mind will belive it. Stay POSITIVE.
Wishing you well
Becky

Hey,
I was reading your post and it's almost as if I wrote it- except for the MS part. I have no reason to believe that I am sick with anything, yet I constantly worry about my health. Every little ache and pain in my body or any mark on my body gets me worked up to think the worst. I drive my mother crazy all the time because I constantly think that something physical is wrong with me. Like lately, I've had these weird heart palpitations and even though I had a number of EKG's and a halter monitor just a couple of months ago, I still think that something could be wrong. I am now debating whether I should get an echo done too.
So, trust me, I know what you're going thru and that's why I am anticipating lesson 8 and 10 especially!
Until then, I agree with the previous post and I'll let you know of more tips if I come across them.
In the meantime, keep us posted, and anyone else- PLEASE contribute your experiences with hypochondriasis.
Thanks!
N.M.

All I can add is that I would just replace the thought that something was wrong with
"Its just my anxiety and I'm just fine!
I am healthy and strong." And I would shift my thinking to something positive. You just cant sit there and give into it. Hoping this helps, Reena