I have been somewhat hypochondriac all my life - I am 61 - and my fears have always been groundless. I do have health problems (arthritis, high blood pressure, acid reflux, underactive thyroid, overweight), but the ones I worry about are the ones that HAVEN'T been diagnosed. Right now, even though I'm on medication for my acid reflux, I have constant low-grade heartburn and burping, and am convinced that I've got cancer of the oesophagus and will die within 6 months. If I read an article about someone with symptoms that resemble mine who then went on to develop a fatal disease, I am convinced I have it too. I went to see my GP and am now waiting for an appointment for an endoscopy, but I cannot stop worrying in the meantime. It is a blight on an otherwise happy life. How can I keep things in perspective? I have always been like this to some extent -- from the time I was young, I was convinced at various times that I had cancer, AIDS, heart disease, you name it -- but each time I find myself in a spiral of worry, I think, "This time it's for real." Has anyone else grappled with this? How do you deal with it, and how can I get my life back? (I'm pretty sure the GP thinks I'm nuts because I have so often come in with groundless worries - I no longer can distinguish between what's a legitimate worry and what's just my neurotic fears.)

Thanks for letting me "ventilate" - just to put this down here is helpful!

Hi bookworm, do you know you sound just like my wife, she is constantly worrying about assorted aches and pains, she also has blood pressure  and thyriod problems and about your age.

In addition, she reads a lot, especially medical articles. Is there a clue in your screen name I wonder? Do you swat up on medical issues and then attribute the next twinge to any one of 10 possible causes?   Sounds like you do, and if that's the way you are at 61 then you are unlikely to change now

Forgive me, I don't mean to make light of your worries but sometimes ignorance is bliss, i.e. what you don't know about can't worry you.

That said, you should of course go the the GP if you have a genuine concern, even if 99 times out of 100 there is nothing to worry about, the 1 time you don't go could be the one which is something that needs treating.

I'll tell you what I tell my wife; you'll probably outlive us all.

Take care

Hello Bookworm, welcome to the wall. Health worries, real or imagined, are horrid. The stress they bring can be overwhelming.

I have the opposite problem than you do. I have a myriad of health issues and sometimes I forget. I was at my doctor recently and was sitting in his office as he explained the new and wonderful diagnosis (that's sarcasm!), and I burst out with "Oh. I forgot I was dying!" and he laughed. It's not that dire yet, but the threat is there.

The way I cope is I have given everything over to fate. I can't stop what is happening inside my body, I can just try to slow it down. I take my medications every day. I take vitamins and herbs to counteract the medications' side effects. I try to eat well and exercise both my body and mind. And I understand anything beyond that is not up to me. That what happens will happen.

Everytime I start feeling stressed about my health I distract myself: I knit, I garden, I go out with friends, I read (but never medical books), I come online.  Anything to stop the circle of 'what ifs' in my brain.

It mostly works.

Everyone has been so helpful and caring - this board is wonderful, and I am so glad I found it. I think there is truth in what everyone has said. I am pondering the wisdom of Thorn's approach - to do what I can in terms of looking after myself and not worry so much about what I can't control. Because yes, I think some of the fear is about loss of control.