Relieve My Stress

When people say, “I think I am a hypochondriac!” we may smile at their joke, but for many it is not a laughing matter.

Am I a hypochondriac if…

I get out of bed and head toward the computer at 3 o’clock in the morning to search for the reasons I have a symptom? What if I sit there and read about all the things the symptom may be?

Probably not. We are used to having the opportunity to find answers to our questions nearly instantly and medical information is no different. Why lay in bed and worry until the doctor’s office opens at 9 AM when we can possibly diagnose ourselves well enough that we can get back to sleep? When our parents raised their children they got out the Dr. Spock medical books to try to figure out what the source of their symptoms may be. We just have the Internet.

If, however, you are consistently sitting in front of the computer screen night after night, becoming obsessed with medical articles and forum where people describe their illness issues, it may be time to turn off that computer and head to bed.

Am I a hypochondriac if…

Every time someone tells me about their symptoms of a certain disease, I begin to believe I must have that too.

Let me ask you this: do you actually believe that you really have that chronic illness, in addition to the illnesses you may already be dealing with? Or are you casually remembering how many of those similar symptoms and side effects you have too?

When we live with daily symptoms of our chronic illness, as well as side effects from the many medications, there can be literally hundreds of symptoms we experience. They all start sounding a bit too familiar when we hear others lament about their own. But just because their symptoms sound a lot like your symptoms, doesn’t mean that you likely have one more illness. And if you’ve decided to have a sense of humor about it, and say, “I must have that one too!” doesn’t mean that you truly believe you need to get to the doctor pronto.

On the other hand, many secondary illnesses exist for those with chronic diseases, especially those with autoimmune diseases. For example, fibromyalgia, sjorgren’s syndrome, or Chrohn’s Disease can all be a challenge for those who have illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis. If you tend to start becoming a bit obsessed about having one more disease, check with your specialist and rule it out if you can.

Am I a hypochondriac if…

Even the smallest change in my illness is a sure sign to me that I probably now have cancer on top of my illness. I keep thinking that it is just a matter of time before I get a cancer diagnosis, not a matter of “if” I get cancer.

It is true that millions of people do get cancer, but a vast majority of them survive it. Regardless of whether you have a family history of the disease or not, talk to your doctor or specialist about what your risk factors are. There are medications for some disease, including autoimmune illnesses, can increase your risk factors. Knowing this may be an underlying basis for your worry.

Openly talk about what the risks are of you getting cancer and how to be proactive in staying on top of your health. Are there certain medical procedures you should be having done and how frequently? What steps can you take to ensure that you are as aware of your health as possible and that, if you should be diagnosed with cancer, you can catch it quickly when it is in the beginning stages.

After this step, although I know it can be extremely difficult, turn your worries and concerns over to God and get on with your life. Worrying unnecessarily over things in which you have no control can negatively affect your immune system, and you have too many gifts and joys in life to focus on those struggles which you have not yet even encountered.

Am I a hypochondriac if…

I tend to see one doctor after another, constantly asking them to run more tests, because their medical opinion must be wrong–I know someone is missing something. I am sick!

Individuals who cope with hypochondria do tend to see a multitude of doctors, because they are sure that they are suffering from an illness that is invisible and they crave someone to validate it. However, there are thousands of people who do in fact suffer from legitimate chronic invisible illnesses who spend years looking for an actual diagnosis. Just because you are seeing one doctor after another since most do not diagnose you, does not mean that you are a hypochondriac. Rather, you may just be looking for some quality medical care.

How to be a good health advocate for yourself

Your friends and family may actually suspect (or even tell you) that you are a hypochondriac, since you are being an assertive health advocate and not accepting just one or two doctor’s diagnoses (or lack thereof). But do accept that you will likely never find that perfect physician. When considering what sort of doctor and patient relationship you wish to have with a physician, you will likely have to dismiss your hoped for soul-mate physician. Instead, focus in on what your want in a doctor, such as one who is well-skilled and who treats you in a way you prefer.

According to the Mayo Clinic offers a hypochondriac definition of symptoms (which is frequently misspelled as hypercondriac symptoms) you may experience if you suffer with this psychological condition:

* Having a long-term intense fear or anxiety about having a serious disease or health condition

* Worrying that minor symptoms or bodily sensations mean you have a serious illness

* Seeing doctors repeated times or having involved medical exams such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), echocardiograms, or exploratory surgery

* Frequently switching doctors – if one doctor tells you that you aren’t sick, you may not believe it and seek out other opinions

* Continuously talking about your symptoms or suspected diseases with family and friends

* Obsessively doing health research

* Frequently checking your body for problems, such as lumps or sores

* Frequently checking your vital signs, such as pulse or blood pressure

* Thinking you have a disease after reading or hearing about it

According to an article at WebMD, “Internet Makes Hypochondria Worse: Cyberchondria” . .

The medical condition called hypochondriasis is defined as worry over an imagined illness with exaggeration of symptoms, no matter how insignificant, that lasts for at least six months and causes significant distress. It tends to develop in the 20s or 30s, and it affects men and women equally. It sometimes comes on following the illness of a friend or family member, and it can also occur as a secondary illness to depression or generalized anxiety disorder.

Those of us who live with a chronic medical condition, and daily chronic pain, can find it hard to remember what it was like to be unaware of your body and it’s movements, aches, and moods. As we share about an ache with a friend, it’s easy for our friend to snap back, “I swear! You are a hypochondriac! All you ever see or talk about it pain! You think you have everything!”

That can be emotionally painful, as we don’t think we have everything, we just think we have a lot!–and we do!

If you are wondering if you may have hypochondria worries, talk to your physician about it. You should not have to live constantly in fear that illnesses are going to take over your life–especially illnesses you may not even have. One can find relief from anxiety in her life in many ways, from getting more involved in a church to taking time out of life to just hang out with some friends. You may opt to see a counselor to work your way through it and even medication can be a tool in decreasing the anxieties you are experiencing.

In scripture we are reminded that, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV). Sounds good, doesn’t it? Power, love, a sound mind–and. . . no fear. This is how we were made to live, so if you find you are not able to do it on your own, don’t delay in asking for help.

Wondering Why Can’t I Make People Understand My Illness? Check out Lisa Copen’s book from her Christian ministry , Rest Ministriesfor those with chronic illness or pain, including daily devotions.

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