[Tonyh]

I'm not sure if there is a category on the main page where this should go, but I would sure like to discuss this, as it has been a huge problem for me for many years.

Somatization disorder is when you convince yourself you are ill, and actually develop the symptoms of whatever illness you are convinced you have. Of course, since you don't truly have that illness, doctors find nothing wrong with you. But in true somatization disorder behavior, your thought is that either that doctor is a quack, or that your particular case is super hard to diagnose. So you wind up visiting multiple doctors, hospitals, and taking all sorts of meds in an effort to treat this illness you are convinced you have.

For the last year I have had Parkinson's syndrome. I know that sounds funny to write it that way, but it truly becomes something I believe. And since I also have every single symptom, it becomes a belief in my head. I am writing this now because I am now coming to terms that this is all in my head. And the many many other critical illnesses I have had have all gone away once I realize its all in my head. But there is no convincing me otherwise when I get this, and am unsure what to do.

Is it OCD?

[Pierro]

Tonyh, I am so sorry you are feeling like this. It sooo stressfull even if it is all in your head. Is it more like hypocondriac. I am not sure. I know of friend of mine had convinced he had a bad heart and had over 20 ecg's and he is only in his 30's. Have you talked these feelings out with a doctor. I think you should as it would help you so much. Best wishes.

[vans1974]

Originally Posted by Tonyh

I'm not sure if there is a category on the main page where this should go, but I would sure like to discuss this, as it has been a huge problem for me for many years.

Somatization disorder is when you convince yourself you are ill, and actually develop the symptoms of whatever illness you are convinced you have. Of course, since you don't truly have that illness, doctors find nothing wrong with you. But in true somatization disorder behavior, your thought is that either that doctor is a quack, or that your particular case is super hard to diagnose. So you wind up visiting multiple doctors, hospitals, and taking all sorts of meds in an effort to treat this illness you are convinced you have.

For the last year I have had Parkinson's syndrome. I know that sounds funny to write it that way, but it truly becomes something I believe. And since I also have every single symptom, it becomes a belief in my head. I am writing this now because I am now coming to terms that this is all in my head. And the many many other critical illnesses I have had have all gone away once I realize its all in my head. But there is no convincing me otherwise when I get this, and am unsure what to do.

Is it OCD?

So sorry to hear! I'd say OCD definetly contributes to psychosomatic disorder disorder! Best of luck!

[FrayedEnds]

Hi Tony
Thanks for giving me the name of something I've been curious about. Now I can sound more informed if I bring it up to my T. I don't have the disorder, but what I do to myself is similar, but very very short term. I'll get stuck with imagined symptoms for only a few hours to a few days. I have always chalked it up to OCD stuff. I'm sorry that you struggle with this... it's gotta be truly awful for you to have constant symptoms.

[Tonyh]

Hi all, thanks for your responses. What happens that during those times that I am sure I have an illness, I am also sure its not all in my head. I completely convince myself that I have that illness. So if, lets say, I get a sore elbow. I go ahead and look up conditions that cause sore elbow. Since of course the internet is full of bad news and worse case scenarios, I find a bad illness that contains sore elbow. But at that moment I read than in addition to sore elbow, this condition also causes sore foot. Well low and behold a day later my foot will hurt. Sounds crazy, sounds like I know its just me so I can ignore it, but I can't. It has to be my OCD. No matter what, I have to find out what causes the sore elbow, and its all down hill from there. I will deny that its all mental, and refuse to seek mental therapy or help. Then, when the episodes passes, sometimes months later, I don't feel ill and I don't feel I need mental help. So I never seek help.

Yes, it sounds like OCD and stress. My main problem is my OCD. I have this need to understand everything. I can't let a single thought go without needing to fully understand what it is I am hearing or reading. And since the same applies to feeling ill, and I cannot logically explain stress, I obsess and stress myself out. I mean to the point that I can barely function. I walk around as if my last days are near.

As I'm writing this I'm thinking this is actually therapeutic since I don't really tell anyone of these things so they don't think I'm, out there.

[FrayedEnds]

Originally Posted by Tonyh

As I'm writing this I'm thinking this is actually therapeutic since I don't really tell anyone of these things so they don't think I'm, out there.

I think it's therapeutic as well (at least most days). I'm trying to push myself to do it more often, but it's rough some days. After doing it sometimes all I kind think is DELETE, DELETE, DELETE It is THE WORST when you post something and nobody replies. My ocd kicks into overdrive and I sit there like this

[Tonyh]

Haha, I know exactly what you mean. The horrors of OCD. Then if no one responds I find myself re-reading the post again to see if I wrong something weird, decide its ok, close it, then come back a few minutes later in case I missed something, and repeat.