Is anyone here a hypochondriac?

[IAG]

Actually I think the PC term is now "health anxiety disorder." I am pretty sure I have it nonetheless. My co-workers and I used to laugh about it, but now that I have all this extra time and spend a lot of it googling Web MD and the like, I really am starting to wonder.

 

[FreeFall]

ProTip don't use WebMD.

Go out and enjoy life.

 

[IAG]

ProTip don't use WebMD.

Go out and enjoy life.

FF. I take care of my mom with Alzheimers in her home full time...literally 24/7...ok not literally...but since apparently literally can now mean figuratively I will stick with that.

I have 12 hours or so of my own every week. Lots of time to focus on my any little symptom and then look it up.


I am going to try to go 3 days without googling some symptom..ok 2 days...starting tomorrow. Because you are exactly right on that.

 

[Mudcat]

I am the opposite. I consider myself indestructible. Any kind of physical anomaly will have to linger for quite awhile before it will get any special attention.

 

[MrX]

Do you spend a lot of time worrying about whatever disease/disorder you may have, or is it more like a curiosity/habit?

When I was a kid, I was always thought that I might have cancer. No idea how that got planted, I didn't know anyone with cancer. I spent 5 or 6 years thinking I had MS, because I would get these numb patches on my skin, along with some other symptoms that I probably imagined. I recently really thought I came back from India with intestinal parasites. None of these things turned out to be true, but I don't think three imagined diseases qualifies me as a hypochondriac. I had reasonable cause to be concerned about the last two.

But getting the tests for those latter two and the negative results made me feel a little silly. Relieved, but silly.

 

[kato]

nope on this end

wife and her family are

makes for interesting times

 

[Gilmartin]

ProTip don't use WebMD.

Go out and enjoy life.

QFT

 

[IAG]

Do you spend a lot of time worrying about whatever disease/disorder you may have, or is it more like a curiosity/habit?

When I was a kid, I was always thought that I might have cancer. No idea how that got planted, I didn't know anyone with cancer. I spent 5 or 6 years thinking I had MS, because I would get these numb patches on my skin, along with some other symptoms that I probably imagined. I recently really thought I came back from India with intestinal parasites. None of these things turned out to be true, but I don't think three imagined diseases qualifies me as a hypochondriac. I had reasonable cause to be concerned about the last two.

But getting the tests for those latter two and the negative results made me feel a little silly. Relieved, but silly.

I think it's a little of both. Today's diagnosis is ovarian cyst, last weak it was Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, the week before something else. I think my symptoms give me legitimate cause for concern as well, but I don't rush to the doctor..mostly because the times I have, it usually turns out to be nothing and like you said, make me feel a little silly...but better safe than sorry.

The one time I didn't rush to the doctor was when I had a horrible herniated disc and my waiting on it and trying alternative care (chiropractor, massage therapy etc) caused me to have permanent nerve damage in my left leg. I will always regret that.

 

[RayRay]

in the past, if i was on an ecstasy/coke/viagra/porn bender with girl for a few days, i would get a little worried if i had even the slightest pinch or pain in left arm or neck area... besides that, im right there with Muddy on the topic

 

[FreeFall]

FF. I take care of my mom with Alzheimers in her home full time...literally 24/7...ok not literally...but since apparently literally can now mean figuratively I will stick with that.

I have 12 hours or so of my own every week. Lots of time to focus on my any little symptom and then look it up.


I am going to try to go 3 days without googling some symptom..ok 2 days...starting tomorrow. Because you are exactly right on that.

That's fair and I'm sad to hear about your situation. Life is short so enjoy your time with her. My Grandmother went through Parkinson's and it's nasty to watch it slowly take over in the course of a couple years.

It's also not your fault. Medical companies do a damn good job at advertising any small issue to scare the fuck out of you. It's how they make money.

But to answer your question I'm not one.

 

[FairWarning]

That's fair and I'm sad to hear about your situation. Life is short so enjoy your time with her. My Grandmother went through Parkinson's and it's nasty to watch it slowly take over in the course of a couple years.

It's also not your fault. Medical companies do a damn good job at advertising any small issue to scare the fuck out of you. It's how they make money.

But to answer your question I'm not one.

Yup.