#i suffer with severe hypochondriasis (health anxiety) + depression + ocd and i’m not doing okay! | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

mental-health-advice · 7 years

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im think that im kind of a hypochondriac but with mental illnesses instead of physical illnesses. i tend to think i have this certain type of MI and basically "have" the symptoms for a while then let go of it. then i do the same thing with another MI. its a really bad cycle. i know how horrible this is considering people actually have and struggle with these MIs and i dont but i dont know what to do :( i do have actual mental health issues and they worsen when im doing this too (tag 8989)

Hi 8989,

I’m sorry you’re struggling with hypochondriasis, but that’s awesome you realize that there are people who truly do suffer on a regular basis. Being a hypochondriac covers anxiousness about your overall health, physical and mental, so it is fair and shared for people to have a focus with mental illnesses (MI ) instead. However, as a quick reminder, I, nor no one at MHA, is a professional so please take this advice with a grain of salt :)

I’m sure you’ve seen the symptoms, but according to the DSM-IV hypochondriasis is defined by the following:

A. Preoccupation with fears of having, or the idea that one has, a serious disease based on the person’s misinterpretation of bodily symptoms.

B. The preoccupation persists despite appropriate medical evaluation and reassurance.

C. The belief in Criterion A is not of delusional intensity (as in Delusional Disorder, Somatic Type) and is not restricted to a circumscribed concern about appearance (as in Body Dysmorphic Disorder).

D. The preoccupation causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

E. The duration of the disturbance is at least 6 months.

F. The preoccupation is not better accounted for by Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, a Major Depressive Episode, Separation Anxiety, or another Somatoform Disorder.

I would genuinely consider re-evaluating or freshening up the diagnosis of your mental health issues to get to the core of why you’re attaching to others. I am not sure if you have been to a professional before, but if you have got a particular diagnosis, you may need to start medication management or see a therapist. As I was telling another person in our ask box in regards to this disorder, it can be comorbid with borderline personality disorder (BPD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and more, so there is a chance that medication can help with one of those diagnoses. Or if not, therapy may be an option where you can try DBT or CBT therapy which is specifically for BPD and those with delusions. We have a link here that discusses more on the topic of DBT if you’re interested in learning more :)

For your reference, I’ll also list out the symptoms of BPD and OCD.

According to the Mayo Clinic Obsessive-compulsive disorder usually includes both obsessions and compulsions. But it’s also possible to have only obsession symptoms or only compulsion symptoms. You may or may not realize that your obsessions and compulsions are excessive or unreasonable, but they take up a great deal of time and interfere with your daily routine and social or work functioning.

Obsession SymptomsOCD obsessions are repeated, persistent and unwanted thoughts urges or images that are intrusive and cause distress or anxiety. You might try to ignore them or get rid of them by performing a compulsive behavior or ritual. These obsessions typically intrude when you’re trying to think of or do other things.Obsessions often have themes to them, such as: • Fear of contamination or dirt • Needing things orderly and symmetrical • Aggressive or horrific thoughts about harming yourself or others • Unwanted thoughts, including aggression, or sexual or religious subjects

Compulsion SymptomsOCD compulsions are repetitive behaviors that you feel driven to perform. These repetitive behaviors or mental acts are meant to prevent or reduce anxiety related to your obsessions or prevent something bad from happening. However, engaging in the compulsions brings no pleasure and may offer only a temporary relief from anxiety.

You may make up rules or rituals to follow that help control your anxiety when you’re having obsessive thoughts. These compulsions are excessive and often are not realistically related to the problem they’re intended to fix.As with obsessions, compulsions typically have themes, such as: • Washing and cleaning • Checking • Counting • Orderliness • Following a strict routine • Demanding reassurances

And for BPD the listed symptoms according to the NIH are

Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment

A pattern of intense and unstable relationships with family, friends, and loved ones, often swinging from extreme closeness and love (idealization) to extreme dislike or anger (devaluation)

Distorted and unstable self-image or sense of self

Impulsive and often dangerous behaviors, such as spending sprees, unsafe sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, and binge eating

Recurring suicidal behaviors or threats or self-harming behavior, such as cutting

Intense and highly changeable moods, with each episode lasting from a few hours to a few days

Chronic feelings of emptiness

Inappropriate, intense anger or problems controlling anger

Having stress-related paranoid thoughts

Having severe dissociative symptoms, such as feeling cut off from oneself, observing oneself from outside the body, or losing touch with reality

Being a hypochondriac does fall under a category of OCD, and it was one of the first issues I worked on with my therapist and psychiatrist almost two years ago. Medication was the answer for me, but it may be different for you which is why seeking professional help is important! I know that is probably a lot of information to take in, but I hope it was of help to you! Genuinely take care of yourself and make sure you’re putting your real mental health issues first, and not the ones you think may pop up or be occurring on the side

- MHA Leah

#mhaleah #8989 #mental health advice #mental health blog #mental health problems #mental health issues #mental health support #mental illness #ocd #obsessive compulsive disorder #borderline personality #Borderline Personality Disorder

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