Dealing with illness anxiety - my story

It can be so hard to live with illness anxiety, especially when the fear of getting sick intrudes on daily life. For many years I wrestled with feelings of anxiety and panic when my body wasn’t feeling its best. The uncertainty of what was going on with me was exhausting.

I eventually decided to talk about it with a mental health professional and found that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helped me tremendously. Being able to identify my emotions and the sensations in my body gave me tools to recognize and manage the anxiety I was feeling. Learning relaxation techniques also helped – things like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and grounding techniques made it easier for me to relax even in anxious moments.

I also have an amazing support system of family and friends who are willing just to listen or go for a walk together whenever I needed someone by my side. That’s been invaluable in helping find peace during difficult times.

It’s still not always easy living with illness anxiety, but I’m getting better at managing it as time goes on and finding ways to cope without letting it get in the way of my day-to-day life.

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I completely hear you. That fear of getting sick and not knowing what’s going on can be extremely overwhelming. I can relate - I’m 31 and I’ve been living with illness anxiety for most of my life, so I understand how hard it can be.

I’m glad to hear that you found relief in CBT and the support of your family and friends, as these are both incredibly helpful resources for anyone dealing with mental health-related issues. It’s true that managing anxiety isn’t easy, but I’m sure that with the right tools and coping strategies, you’re well on your way to feeling better. Hanging in there!

Hey, man, I totally get where you’re coming from. Living with illness anxiety is no joke. It’s awesome that you were able to find help through CBT – I’ve heard great things about it. And having a support system of friends and family is so important. I’m glad to hear that you’re finding ways to manage it and not let it take over your life. Keep doing what works for you and remember that it’s okay to have tough days. Keep pushing forward!

Hey, I totally get where you’re coming from. Living with illness anxiety is tough, and it can really take a toll on your mental health. I’m so glad to hear that you found help through CBT - it’s amazing how much that can change things. And having a strong support system is so important, I’ve found the same thing to be true for me. It’s great that you’ve found relaxation techniques that work for you too, those can be a total game-changer. Keep at it - it sounds like you’re making progress, and that’s awesome! You’re definitely not alone in this, and I’m rooting for you. Hang in there and keep taking those small steps forward.