Haced 1 Posted February 25, 2017 Hello. I've had my own bouts of hypochondria, usually relating to things like cancer (brain, pancreatic, breast) and ALS/vCJD, and I was wondering, is it normal/does anyone else here ever get hypochondria relating to those around you? Recently my hypochondria has come back over my parents, specifically my mom. I've gotten really concerned recently over the thought that she could possibly have cancer (brain cancer) or something along those lines. I don't really have anything to back me up, because she's acting as she usually does and is acting perfectly fine, but I'm still, for some reason, incredibly afraid of this possibility. In my last bout of hypochondria I had something happen like this for a while too, but I'm still feeling really anxious about this today. Does anyone have any advice on how to cope with this? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bin_tenn 1252 Posted February 25, 2017 I used to get it often as it relates to other people. Mostly my kids and my girlfriend. Not abnormal for health anxiety based on what others have said in the past. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ihadcancer 321 Posted February 25, 2017 I've done this with my children (now ages 22, 40, 41 and 45) and my husband who has a lot of health issues but not my parents who are 85 and 90. I've not done it with my oldest kids since they left home, but I did get very concerned when my 22 year old had nose bleeds from vapping (is that the right word) until I looked it up and saw it was a known side effect. He bought a humidifier for his room and cut WAY back to almost no vapping, vaping, vacuuming.... With my kids and hubby, it was only if they were sick. I was two years into a four year nursing degree when I met and married my husband (he was a military officer and I dropped out to marry him and never completed my degree) and then worked in the lab in a large Chicago area hospital for a few years before working for 4 years in a locked psych ward. I spent a lot of time in the ER and was assigned to pediatric ICU. I'd go home at midnight when my shift ended and check to see if they were breathing if they even had the sniffles. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Haced 1 Posted February 26, 2017 3 hours ago, bin_tenn said: I used to get it often as it relates to other people. Mostly my kids and my girlfriend. Not abnormal for health anxiety based on what others have said in the past. Do you have any ideas on how to cope with it? I'm still getting pretty anxious over this and truth be told, I don't know as to why. Still, thank you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bin_tenn 1252 Posted February 26, 2017 I'm really not sure. I worked to train my brain to think rationally in general, and not jump to conclusions. I wanted to fix it, not just "cope". It's been quite successful so far. Sorry I can't offer more advice, but that's all I ended up doing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Haced 1 Posted February 26, 2017 1 hour ago, bin_tenn said: I'm really not sure. I worked to train my brain to think rationally in general, and not jump to conclusions. I wanted to fix it, not just "cope". It's been quite successful so far. Sorry I can't offer more advice, but that's all I ended up doing. Alright then. Still, thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ihadcancer 321 Posted February 26, 2017 Haced, Is your mom having her yearly mammogram, colonoscopy as needed, etc? Did someone's mom die recently? Are you and your mom very close? Is she the person you can go to when your anxiety is bad? Sounds like you love her so much and don't want anything to happen to her. I don't know her age, but stuff does happen. Just talk to her and make sure she's keeping up with the regular recommendations for tests per her age. I don't know how else to work on this. I'm so sorry! Diane Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Walking Circles 53 Posted February 27, 2017 I don't really suffer full blown hypochondria relating to other people. I do worry but I'm much more ration about others than myself. To be honest it makes me feel guilty, as if I'm selfish somehow. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mlouise 36 Posted February 27, 2017 My HA is due to my son's illness. According to my therapist. He has Cystic Fibrosis. Funny though....I am concerned about his health (obviously) but am VERY calm & collected with his illness. Very strategic. With myself I am a basketcase. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Walking Circles 53 Posted February 27, 2017 I've always been prone to health anxiety, a high strung person in general. I had a bout of Atrial Fibrillation when I was 22 or so, ever since then I've been a full blown hypochondriac. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ihadcancer 321 Posted February 27, 2017 11 hours ago, Walking Circles said: I don't really suffer full blown hypochondria relating to other people. I do worry but I'm much more ration about others than myself. To be honest it makes me feel guilty, as if I'm selfish somehow. No way. You're more rational with others because hypochondria is related to our own health. We can think clearly and really care about the other person. Actually, we KNOW in our knower that we're okay, it's the panic that lies to us. You're not selfish. You're clearheaded with others. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ihadcancer 321 Posted February 27, 2017 (edited) 19 hours ago, mlouise said: My HA is due to my son's illness. According to my therapist. He has Cystic Fibrosis. Funny though....I am concerned about his health (obviously) but am VERY calm & collected with his illness. Very strategic. With myself I am a basketcase. Wait a minute........ your son has CF? You said he's 8 years old?? Maybe you just think you're calm about his illness! I could never be calm about CF. I changed my reply because I put your choppy sentences above all together and thought you said your therapist told you he had CF, not a medical doctor. Edited February 27, 2017 by Ihadcancer misread post due to incomplete sentences Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AlwaysWorried21 25 Posted April 21, 2017 I have it SO bad with my mom. Sometimes worse than myself Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kaos424 15 Posted April 21, 2017 I constantly worry about my daughter's health. That's pretty much the extent of my HA transferring to anyone around me. I do worry about my ex-wife's health and my girlfriend's health as well though too. Not to the same extent as my daughter. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jennie048 115 Posted April 21, 2017 I do worry about my boys health and husband. I also used to worry about my mother too when she was alive. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jae 211 Posted April 21, 2017 13 hours ago, AlwaysWorried21 said: I have it SO bad with my mom. Sometimes worse than myself Yes me too... for years and years. I think that made my already anxious mind so much worse. Mom is gone now, my HA is mainly focused on my kids. Last episode of health scare with me was ongoing female bleeding... my fear was it was something sinister and my kids would watch me die.. main worry again was... my kids. (Which aRe young adults now) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
