[Alanrb]

I have been getting psychiatric help for many years, mostly for anxiety around health. I am quite a pragmatic person. When I encounter advice for mental health problems that seem a little flaky, or like pseudoscience I just can't get into it. I recently had a big break through with my shrink that I thought I would share with all you pragmatists out there. I kept googleing any small ailment that I had and would inevitable spiral down with anxiety no matter how small the concern was. My shrink would say that I have to stop the research. Here is the breakthrough: I miss took this for advice, like a parent or friend might give you...but it's not, it's your prescription; as important as your pills. If you stop this behaviour you will start to change your brain. If someone would have offered me a pill that did that I would have gladly taken it.

[sideblinded]

Hi Alanrb

Welcome to PC. I regularly research things about my health as I believe that it empowers me. I like to keep up with medical issues. I don't do it to excess but I do it enough to protect me from doctors who don't know very much. This has been my experience. Actually it has been my godsend. I think some research is very beneficial. If one gets anxiety from it then it wouldn't be a good idea but I research all the time on some issue pertaining to me or the world around me.

[boredporcupine]

Lots of us google about health things and don't have a problem with it, but I think OP was saying that for them, it tends to spiral into anxiety that just isn't worth any possible benefit. Just like lots of us drink socially and enjoy it but there are some people who just shouldn't touch alcohol. And realizing that the shrink's advice was like a prescription which would help but only if taken consistently. That sounds like a great breakthrough and I hope it continues to help!

[clairelisbeth]

Love it! Brain change IS possible!

[Alanrb]

Originally Posted by sideblinded

Hi Alanrb

Welcome to PC. I regularly research things about my health as I believe that it empowers me. I like to keep up with medical issues. I don't do it to excess but I do it enough to protect me from doctors who don't know very much. This has been my experience. Actually it has been my godsend. I think some research is very beneficial. If one gets anxiety from it then it wouldn't be a good idea but I research all the time on some issue pertaining to me or the world around me.

Hi sideblinded, I think I am referring to an existential question, and that is can there ever be enough reassurance? For me, even if some of my searches do put my mind at ease, the process is a damaging one. Even if you live in an MRI no one can promise you perfect health. Having said that I am hungry for knowledge about the world around me but as it turns out I do not reach a peace of mind by searching for info about a funny looking mole or a numb finger.

[Alanrb]

Originally Posted by boredporcupine

Lots of us google about health things and don't have a problem with it, but I think OP was saying that for them, it tends to spiral into anxiety that just isn't worth any possible benefit. Just like lots of us drink socially and enjoy it but there are some people who just shouldn't touch alcohol. And realizing that the shrink's advice was like a prescription which would help but only if taken consistently. That sounds like a great breakthrough and I hope it continues to help!

For me; and extreme diy person, I have always thought that I could pop onto google to figure out if my kids have meningitis or if my wife has some sort of cancer, after all I can wire my house, fix my car and build a website with just a little reading. When you go to a place like WebMD I would always look at what the worst possible outcome for 48 hour head ache could be...taking my thought process through to what ever the worst thing is, to make myself prepared for the inevitable. Since I was about 13; I am now 49, I have taken every single health worry too far. That amounts to many months or years of my life creating pathways in my brain that have never helped me.

[chriskyle]

Please don't stop taking psychiatrist help if you are not fully recovered from your problem as this problem is reversible and any small tension is a trigger for it.

[Alanrb]

Originally Posted by chriskyle

Please don't stop taking psychiatrist help if you are not fully recovered from your problem as this problem is reversible and any small tension is a trigger for it.

Sorry chriskyle, I didn't mean to imply that I am "fixed". Your advice is good. I know many people who say "now I am feeling great so I can quite all the helpful stuff that got me here" and then they slide back.