r/HealthAnxiety • u/Outrageous_Profit989 • 5d ago
Discussion About Health Anxiety Aspects Any tips on how to manage HA?
Hey guys!! First time posting here. Life has been rough for me lately, unfortunately. As always, HA is so difficult to manage, especially when I’m suffering from anemia and GERD (</3) and I was wondering how some of you made it through your lowest of lows?
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u/xMediumRarex 5d ago
If I could give my younger self advice, it would be to challenge the anxiety. Don’t foster avoidant behaviors. Get everything checked by doctors and trust them.
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u/princessxunicorn 5d ago
Another method that I find very useful is to say to myself "what would I be doing right now if I felt completely fine and content and happy, and wasn't experiencing health anxiety?" Then I go do that thing, be it reading, video games, cleaning etc and pretend I am fine and don't have anxiety. Strangely this works more often than not
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u/princessxunicorn 5d ago
The DARE method has really helped me.
The book is Dare: The New Way to End Anxiety and Stop Panic Attacks by Barry McDonagh
However I learned this method by watching YouTube videos about the topic and it helped me before I ever got to the book. You can search "DARE Method" or "Dare Response" to find many videos with lots of info.
Here is the basic gist of the DARE method:
D Diffuse: Notice the initial physical or mental signs of anxiety and respond to them with a flippant attitude, reminding yourself that you are safe and capable.
A Allow: Accept the discomfort of anxiety without trying to escape it, understanding that it is a temporary sensation and will not cause harm.
R Run towards: Actively face the anxiety by challenging it playfully and telling your mind and body to "bring it on," viewing the sensation as energy. (For example, if you feel dizzy, you might dare yourself to get so dizzy you pass out)
E Engage: Redirect your focus to an activity or task, re-engaging with life without letting anxiety control your actions.
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u/Sincerelyjoyful11 5d ago
Hi there! After years of facing continuous health challenges and so many terrible symptoms. I finally learned that I have chronic obstructive sleep apnea. So I understand how scary it is to have real health conditions and concerns and still deal with health anxiety .Through all of this, one thing I’ve realized is just how strong and resilient our bodies truly are. Especially living through some of the scariest symptoms for years.
Acceptance therapy has been such a gift for me. I’m still practicing it as I continue healing from decades of sleep deprivation, and it has changed the way I move forward. I still deal with anxiety, both in my own life and with the many health challenges my husband faces too. It’s not easy, but learning to accept what I feel—without letting it control me—has been so freeing.
Sometimes I still want the anxiety to go away, but choosing to let it be there while I keep living my life and focusing on the things I value most has brought me a long way. 😊
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u/Outrageous_Profit989 5d ago
Thank you so much for this advice! It is beyond helpful, haha. I have tried just about anything except accepting that my anxiety is there and that my body will pull through even when I’m convinced it won’t
Anxiety truly is a pesky thing when combined with real health conditions. Hearing someone else who is going through the same thing is genuinely so reassuring 🥲 Thank you
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u/Sincerelyjoyful11 5d ago
Aweee! I'm so glad! You are so welcome and I fully understand. Today is a pretty tough day for me HA lol you are not alone! there are so many good information on acceptance if I can share I hope so if not please delete. Find them on YouTube. Joe Oliver, Dr. Russ Harris. Dr. Tracey Marks. Also self compassion I'm just now learning is amazing! Kristen Neff. Think about all the times we are patient with others, but it's really hard to be patient with ourselves when we're going through anxiety. Hope this helps! Message me anytime. 🩷
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u/MallCopBlartPaulo 5d ago
I had anemia and took iron supplements prescribed by my doctor. It can make you really exhausted.
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u/SamuraiUX 4d ago
Talk to a therapist. You don’t have to grapple with this on your own or by asking strangers on the internet. A good therapist can genuinely give you expert tools that improve your life!
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u/Outrageous_Profit989 4d ago
I have one already, don’t worry! She and I have been working through things together for almost a year now. I was just having a very rough time of it last night and needed to feel reassured, haha. HA can be isolating
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u/Top_Concentrate_5799 5d ago
Well, put an effort into fixing your anemia, as anxiety is one of the symptoms
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u/Outrageous_Profit989 4d ago
Oh I’m already on supplements. They’re helping but it’s a journey. Which is why I asked for advice
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u/Longjumping-Side-233 4d ago
The only thing is Sertraline, 250mg.. I am the sertraline queen, only thing that helps. Will never be without it.
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u/Suddenapollo01 15h ago
Didn't think people were supposed to be on that stuff for too long. 250mg is a lot.
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u/BeYourOwnDog 5d ago
Mine got so bad I ended up doing some counselling and learned some techniques that helped me manage my own HA.
What works for me is mainly two things, when I find myself fixating on a symptom and spiralling;
1) I remind myself that I have now been convinced I was about to die many times, and it was always my HA, so it's probably the same story this time
2) I make a deal with myself that if the symptom is still there in (x) weeks, I will get it checked out
Everyone's different of course, but those are the two mantras that help me the most.