Tired of over-reacting

I have a real thing about health issues, specifically cancer, and I am having a "Miss Worst Case Scenario" moment right now. I should say in advance this happens everytime I or someone in my family has some kind of health thing potentially related to cancer. Today, our DD has an MD appointment to have a suspicious mole checked out and I am a little on the panicked side of the street. I do it to myself because I'm one of those moronic people that goes to online health sites and reads and reads and reads about potential diagnoses then, I immediately jump into the Miss Worst Case Scenario mode. Its not a good thing, to paraphrase Martha Stewart. What I'm working on is remembering how I do this everytime and it is always a waste of time and energy, and trying to think about intellectually and positively. AAAGGHH! I really, really hate this and I am making it my #1 goal to rewire my brain to get away from this kind of thinking.

The first thing I would do is limit yourself to 10 minutes on the internet doing research. This gives you an education about the problem but doesn't let you spend countless minutes or hours worrying into a frenzy. And then I would journal about the worst case scenario and how it would make you feel so you can actually get in touch with the feelings instead of bashing yourself and hating yourself. That just increases the anxiety. Just my two cents from someone who has been there!

I know what you mean...I feel as though I have a slight case of hypochondria lol .....I then go online and research the hell out of things to the point that I find out all the worst things that could happen and start to freak out that I or someone that I know could have this life threatening illness when actually I have just made my anxiety level go through the roof and that is why I feel awful lol......hope you can figure out how to positive think your way through it because I find it next to impossible.

michele, you sound just like me!!! Wow, to a "T"! I know that horrible worst case thing all to well. My husband asked me the other day "why do you always think so negative?" I think to some extent he understands the anxiety, but really if youve never experienced it , who knows if they truly know what your talking about. sigh. at least i fould someone with my mode of thinking.

I'm the same way. especially when im home by myself. when im alone, a single second off scedule can send my mind to instant irrationallity. so, im not alone with this?

I have just joined this group for similar reasons. I get a fear in my head (completely irrational) and run with it. Any ache or pain causes me to think the worst. The problem is, I know in my head I'm being irrational, but my body continues to panic. It's good to see I'm not alone.

oh yes ... not so much illness, that i'd rather forget, but hurts from the past - a hurt or painful memory pops in my head, and i'm in tears - i mean, crying a river.

it stays there until i convince myself to move it along, get past it, or try to distract myself... which i am getting better at, but believe me, i had no idea that our minds would be wide open (when vulnerable) to reliving such painful experiences.

over and over!

other than doing what i wrote above, or changing direction of thoughts as soon as i realize before my minds got a grip on my emotions and i am overboard, i'll might run on here, or take a bath, try and watch a movie, make a cup of tea, anything 'normal-like' - even housecleaning, till i feel restored.

my empathy goes out to all of those suffering this - and thank heaven for some relief - like attivan, herbal tinctures, medicinal teas, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, spas, you name it - try everything until you find some peace ...

peace and love,
nightbird