Am I the only one who worries on a daily basis about my own death and health? I can't get through a whole day without worrying about developing cancer or some other horrible illness. And the thought of dying is so terrifying to me. Does anyone else suffer from this kind of extreme worry and anxiety surrounding death?
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Are you looking for others with similar personal experiences? Health related anxiety is quite common, as is health related OCD which you may have (and would explain why SSRIs aren't working- the therapeutic level for OCD is quite high). These thoughts get stuck in your brain and keep coming back, like a hiccup. Not because they are reality based, but because there is a chemical imbalance in your brain and it isn't functioning like a healthy brain. So the thoughts get stuck, and you find ways to cope with them but the bad deal that OCD offers is even if you temporarily cope the thought will keep coming back.
I'm sorry you are struggling, and I know your options are limited by pregnancy. I'd encourage you to seek a therapist who specializes in OCD and will use exposure treatment with you. -
@CatchAFallingStar: I have experienced health related anxiety related to my children as I think I have shared in a previous thread. Now that I have found a medication that is working for me (along with trying to exercise somewhat regularly and talk with a therapist) I am feeling so much better. I’m sorry these worries are consuming you and I really hope you can find the right combination of things to feel better.
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I have before and I have commented on a lot of your previous posts with what helped me. The health anxiety reddit helped me with some tips and to know that it’s quite common. Also I learned it’s common after kids as a form of PPA. I had it start about 6 weeks after my third.
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I think about death daily given my line of work (oncology). What brings me comfort is that I don’t have regrets in my life. Also I over-document/photograph everything so my kids would have proof of my love for them.
This may not be normal but is my coping strategy for witnessing tragedy on the daily -
Yes I have it. First, because if anything serious happens to me it'll be a logistical nightmare for my family. DH will have to find child care for three kids including a one year old who doesn't STTN. If I'm down for even a few days it'll be a disaster. Of course every ache and twinge fills me with terror. I can't wait to stop SAH and go back to work, so I'll know the kids are taken care of whether or not I'm well.
I've also had some wacky symptoms for the last 1.5 years and there's a chance they're something nasty. I've been avoiding the doctor until I go back to work because again, if it's something bad, I don't exactly have ability to throw the child care into chaos while I go to one doctor after another. I realize this is not wise, but whatever it is hasn't killed me yet so presumably it can wait. Just praying my work situation is resolved soon so I can relax and deal with this properly.
So in short, lots and lots of health anxiety, but it's really because I'm the child care and would be awfully hard to replace.
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Yes, I think about and have anxiety about dying every day. Sometimes it’s worry related to health issues, but it’s usually related to events. Every time I get in the car, I think “will I get into a car accident and die? What will happen to my kids, family, etc.” I’ve always had generalized anxiety, but these particular anxieties stem from my 7 year old nephew dying in a car accident 9 years ago. The anniversary of his death was yesterday, so it manifests even more this time of year.
When I am stressed with work, I will wake up at night with anxiety about dying. I have not seen anyone for these occurrences, but I know I need to.
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@CatchAFallingStar: I think everyone thinks about death/dying and serious illnesses to some extent, but if the thoughts are so frequent and severe that it affects you on daily basis then I would definitely suggest talking to a professional therapist about it.
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@CatchAFallingStar: I do, but I try not to dwell on it because none of us are going to live forever. It's a human condition. I, of course, hope and pray for a long and healthy life for me and my loved ones, but I also trust in the Lord's will. I have faith that this is just the beginning and that eternal life in heaven is possible through faith in Jesus.
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ive read a lot of your posts that ask these similar type questions and everyone tells you that it’s not normal and you need to seek help. Not to sound harsh, but I’m not sure why you keep asking these questions when you’re obviously not listening to any of the answers or advice. Countless people have told you that this amount of debilitating anxiety isn’t normal.
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@pinkcupcake: yes, I realize that... I’m in therapy and taking anti-anxiety meds. I know my thoughts are not normal. I was just wondering if it’s normal to worry about death and illness in general
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@crazydoglady: @CatchAFallingStar: This exactly for me. When I gave my life to Jesus and started reading God’s word daily, attending a bible teaching church a lot of my fears improved. I want to encourage you to stay in therapy ( I hope you got a new therapist) and look at different medications as well. You should not be worrying like this instead enjoying life in peace.
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Like @ChitownRo: I think about death more often then others I think bc of what I do for a living, I handle auto accident claims, high exposure so we're talking death claims. For me it's not debilitating but I do think about it more than the average person, especially when we are taking a trip or when my kids are going to ride with someone else (this is probably the most anxiety inducing thing in my life--when my kids ride with other). Luckily for me it doesn't happen very often and when it does I just try to keep busy to keep my mind off it. I also get very anxious if the news or fb reports an accident on DH's route, I'll immediately call or text him and if he doesn't respond I panic a little thinking it was he who was in the accident. Not normal I know.. but also not debilitating and it's not a daily occurrence and I 100% know it's bc of my work. It's just so sad that people are just going to work or doing their normal business and one freak accident (which 99% of the time could have been avoided) ends it for them
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Yes, I worry and have anxiety creating all these scenarios in my head! So I think that's fairly normal, probably a little worse for more anxious people. I def have always been a worrier & control freak. But I def think where you're at is more than that. Has therapy/meds been helping? Or you are finding that it's not enough?
And don't call yourself a debbie downer!! We're here to support & listen!
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My DH used to get extreme anxiety about death, but usually just at the end of the day as he was going to bed.
He is on anti-anxiety meds now which have helped tremendously. He was also raised non-religious, and has been more open to my catholic upbringing, and at least believing that there is life after death, so that has helped also.I think I worry less about myself, and more about if something were to happen to my kids. THAT is the scariest thing in the world to me. I avoid reading any news articles related to that.
Regarding cancer, I have cancer insurance which will help in the event that it does happen, but it's not something I worry or think about often. Annual check-ups are all you can do.
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I have been a hypochondriac my entire life without realizing that’s not normal until after my kids were born. It was like oh ha ha I’m such a worrier just like my mom and grandma but it actually goes back to being 10 years old and being so anxious and worried about death/cancer/illness that I couldn’t eat and was skin and bones. It came to a peak after my first was born and the pregnancy was rough for my DW, preterm birth, sleep deprivation and he was sick a lot culminating in an 8 day hospitalization when he was 2. I had to see a therapist afterwards and had some major issues that interrupted my daily function whenever he got a fever or sick. I worked through it and now, 3 years on, I don’t struggle with it as much since my second was born. I also stopped taking hormonal BC for endo/PCOS which I think does have depressive/anxious side effects for me. I am not on meds, but I try to mediate and think through my thoughts if they become overwhelming. Time passing after his hospital stay helped, and I think just being more confident in my parenting and being able to rationalize my brain patterns. I had a little trouble again after our dog suddenly died traumatically last spring but got through it. I haven’t been to therapy in over a year now. I think part of it is accepting that life is fragile and letting go of control because no matter how anxious I get, it never helps and it steals enjoyment from my life.
You’re definitely not alone but I really feel for you that clearly your coping mechanisms aren’t giving you relief. I’m not sure what to say other than I hope it gets better for you soon and you are able to enjoy life again
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@CatchAFallingStar: I have gone through time periods where it’s been an issue. I think it’s easier to get caught up on as a SAHM (can’t remember if you sah.) It’s easier to have a sick day or not worry about getting sick when I’m not the only one to care for the kids anymore. But you’re working on it and that’s all anyone can really do. If it happens, it happens. You can’t control it. I think accepting that (and sometimes I still don’t lol) made me think about it a lot less. But I still have anxiety about things like flying, so I get it!!
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