It definitely seems like it is really difficult to get people to take severe heath anxiety seriously.

I feel as though I have experienced much of what you have, but much less intensely.

Triggers: On a day to day basis, I will have troubling thoughts about potential pathogens or illness -- generally AIDS. I will think of the danger of getting a cut and thus having an open wound, or getting stuck with an inappropriately discarded needle, and that I could exposed to any number of diseases, such as AIDS. I have been working extra shifts and as a result my finger nails have become very weak from washing dishes and cleaning, thus fears of a hormonal balance surface. I will be disturbed thinking about tapeworms and the like. Lately I have noticed my teeth shifting due to my overbite, now I am afraid of potentially losing those teeth. Perhaps I should not deliberate further, I can see this discussion being very triggering.

Luckily for me, although troubling for the few minutes it persists, the anxiety normally does not wreck me. However, I have had extreme spikes in anxiety where I thought I had a tumor, cancer, the Lamictal Rash, and that I was pregnant, among others. These last for several hours for a few days. It is a terrifying form of anxiety.

I have noticed that online research can occasionally help but also make it worse. Sometimes you find symptoms you know you do not have; so then you are safe. However, most conditions have very broad symptoms such as fatigue, itching, etc -- you're guaranteed to have some of those. I think, overall, it is probably much worse to obsess over online information. I understand that there is this constant need to check, the need to list out the reasons why you might have something and why you shouldn't believe you have it.

I don't have advice for you. I can only tell you that I have experienced a bit of what you have, so I hope that helps you. I think it is very important to remind yourself that it is anxiety. This helps me because I know the specific preoccupations of my anxiety attacks will pass and my health anxiety will pass as well. I make myself remember how I feel when the attack is over and retrospect reveals that it was ridiculous. It will be harder for you if you experience it constantly. When your anxiety in general under control, you will cease to have such hypochondriac anxieties.

My anxiety waxes and wanes. I will feel at peace thinking about the potential for terrible health conditions at one time, only to fall apart at another. Having felt both those ends, I understand why it is very hard to be taken seriously by others. It is utterly ridiculous to others. I think we evolved to have protection in our minds to keep ourselves from over stressing about travesties that only could happen but likely won't. Even though it seems "logical" to be aware of risks, it makes for a much healthier mind to not have those fears. Being afraid of death seems so logical to me, but others are not bothered. It is because we simply aren't meant to crush ourselves with these thoughts.

Take care of yourself. A little bit of health anxiety is good for you -- strive to eat well and exercise and I hope that will help assuage your fears. I'm going to go brush my teeth before they fall out.