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Because of anxiety, I always feel like I have a serious illness. What should I do!

female high school student anxiety stress physical symptoms morning jogging
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Because of anxiety, I always feel like I have a serious illness. What should I do! By Anonymous | Published on December 18, 2024

A female high school student had been extremely anxious due to stress for a period of time, and eventually developed physical symptoms such as hand tremors, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating.

I noticed it myself, but I didn't go to a psychologist. But I did make some changes, such as developing the habit of morning jogging, getting up early and going to bed early, and gradually becoming less anxious. My parents also provided a lot of help, so my anxiety symptoms and so on eased a lot, and the pressure was also well released.

But I always magnify my physical symptoms a bit, for example, feeling dizzy makes me panic and fear that I have a serious illness.

If I let it go any further, I'm afraid that there's really something seriously wrong with my body. I get scared when I see examples of incurable diseases portrayed on TV. I'm afraid that my friends or family members or I myself will get this serious illness one day, and then I'll be devastated. How do I stop this kind of thinking...?

Miriam Miriam A total of 7536 people have been helped

Hello, question asker!

It's tough to give advice on your obsessive thoughts about doubting your serious illness in just a short description of 200 words or so. But I'm still excited to chat with you in my answer and explore more possibilities with you when you're feeling troubled or even emotionally broken by this.

You are strong! Believe in yourself!

From your text, I can see that you once had symptoms of "shaking hands, dizziness, and lack of concentration" due to anxiety. You then took the initiative to help yourself by adopting the habit of exercising regularly and going to bed early, which helped alleviate the symptoms. Even now, after the symptoms of illness appeared, you actively sought help through the internet. This shows that you are a strong young woman with a positive outlook on life. This psychological drive to make yourself better will help you ultimately get out of trouble.

"The one who unlinks the bell must also link it again." You know yourself better than anyone, and you're the best person to help yourself!

It's time to face the source of your stress head-on!

You're currently in your third year of high school, which is an exciting time! In a year, you'll be taking the college entrance exam, which is a big step in your academic journey. As you navigate this exciting period, you may also face pressure from peer relationships or other sources. You mentioned that you were particularly anxious due to pressure before your third year of high school. What was the specific event or situation that caused you to feel this level of anxiety?

Also, what happened when your somatic symptoms first appeared, and under what circumstances will they reappear? Perhaps your anxiety is a bit generalized at the moment. These questions will help you see what is currently making you most anxious, and you can use this information to your advantage!

You can do this! If you can identify it and face it, you will gradually be able to cope better.

Make the most of the resources around you!

[Use the resources around you]

This is a very difficult time for you, but as you say, "My parents are also very helpful," and with their support you can release some of the pressure. At the same time, you are also worried about your friends, which shows that you have a close relationship with them.

Your family and friends are there for you! They can help you get out of trouble. When you feel worried or scared, be honest with them about your thoughts and feelings. Ask them to understand you and support you. If the physical symptoms caused by anxiety reappear and persist for a period of time, you can also ask them to accompany you to see the school psychologist or a professional doctor and counselor.

I'm rooting for the original poster to get out of this difficult situation and thrive!

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Isabella Sophia Johnson Isabella Sophia Johnson A total of 2218 people have been helped

Hello, my name is Zeyu, and I'm so happy to be here with you today!

If anxiety is making you feel like you have a serious illness, the best thing you can do to feel better is to go to the hospital for a check-up and find out what's really going on.

You mentioned that you have internalized magnified somatic symptoms. I'm so sorry to hear that! What are you actually worried about? I can see how the explanation of somatization makes you feel crazy and scared. These symptoms are indicative of a tendency towards hypochondria. In this case, we can consider seeing a psychologist or going to a mental health center for some relevant tests. I'm here for you, and I'm so glad you're reaching out!

If reality doesn't seem to warrant it, we can ask ourselves how many of these thoughts are actually going to happen and how many are just in our minds. I see that you've taken the initiative to adjust your state and get yourself out of the anxious state, which is really great!

Let's look at somatization together. If we use the emotional ABC theory to explain it, we see the dizziness and shaking as the triggering event, A. Our explanation of somatization is B. And finally, we have the result, C. It seems that A led to C, but in reality, how we explain it is that our thoughts and beliefs affect how we perceive things.

If we think that normal hand tremors and dizziness are signs of illness or symptoms of an existing illness, then that's how reality will be. These beliefs you hold might be called irrational beliefs, but that's okay!

First, we can test the reality of our current beliefs to see if they are actually happening or if we are just imagining them. This can be a really helpful way to figure out what's really going on! Second, we can change our perception of reality. When we think about whether we are sick, we can find evidence to tell ourselves that this is just the result of what I believe.

And another thing! When we pay attention to our bodies, we can also tell ourselves to wait five minutes before thinking about it. For now, I just need to do a good job at what I'm doing. If we can't do it, no problem! We can just go do some fun, distracting activities.

If you're struggling with catastrophic imagination, try writing down your concerns and then imagining the worst-case scenario. Once you've done that, see if you can find a way to solve it or accept it. If you're still feeling stuck, try finding one piece of evidence that refutes your catastrophic imagination. You've got this!

I really hope these methods will be helpful for you!

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Tucker Baker Tucker Baker A total of 9900 people have been helped

Hello! I can feel your anxiety through the screen, but I'm here to help. First of all, it's great that you're aware of your anxiety. This shows that you have a strong sense of self-awareness, which is a great start! However, anxiety is not controlled by consciousness, and you also have somatic symptoms, such as hand tremors, palpitations, fidgety, etc. You are also in the depths of high school, which is an exciting time! The pressure of learning and your expectations of yourself can all aggravate the symptoms, but I'm here to help you overcome them.

Secondly, I can see that you have self-discipline and insist on running. Medically, exercise therapy can relieve anxiety. If you exercise scientifically, jogging or brisk walking and other aerobic exercises for more than half an hour every day can make your heart rate reach 120 beats per minute, and the effect will be even better. Here, our brain will produce neurotransmitters such as endorphins and dopamine, which will effectively relieve anxiety.

The great news is that changes in your parents and their support for you can also effectively relieve anxiety. There are so many resources around you that can give you support and help. It's time to experience and feel these resources and express them in words!

Finally, if you can go to the hospital to assess your anxiety state and receive professional help from a psychiatrist or psychotherapist, you will get the support you need to calm your emotions and symptoms. This will help you transition through this important stage of senior high school smoothly. Learn to be with your anxious emotions, accept them, and face your youth with them. You will be happier!

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Valentina Carter Valentina Carter A total of 6591 people have been helped

Hello, I'm therapist Zhang Huili. Twenty-five years ago, I experienced the even crueler Henan college entrance exam just like you. At that time, some classmates were so nervous that they vomited and collapsed. You must have had a lot of exams and rankings in your senior year. This single evaluation system often makes you doubt yourself, and this deep self-doubt makes you feel powerless and fearful.

I want to become a strong person.

I can see ten positive qualities in you. You are proactive. You have tried many things to take care of yourself and develop self-discipline. Many adults can't get to bed early or exercise regularly.

These positive qualities not only give you physical strength, but also the courage to overcome difficulties. So try again and see what other shining points in yourself can make you feel more powerful.

At my age, I know that everything outside is ephemeral, that achievements and accomplishments don't matter. You can learn about highly educated sociopaths who have not contributed to society, and those who are successful in their careers but are unhealthy and have failed in their family relationships, and have no sense of happiness at all. These qualities within us show who we are.

2. How to release emotions

Try this emotional release technique. It's very effective.

In Traditional Chinese medicine, fear harms the kidneys, anger harms the liver, sadness harms the lungs, sorrow harms the spleen, and joy harms the heart. External stimuli can also cause a lot of emotions. When emotions are unable to be released, they accumulate and cause harm to our body over time.

You mentioned fear and anxiety many times, and you're right—fear of the future can lead to worry. These two emotions are hidden in our kidney meridian, stomach meridian, and bladder meridian. We can let these emotions flow by tapping the corresponding acupoints.

The acupoints are Yufu, Zanzhu, and Chengqiu. You can find their locations on Baidu. When there is pain, it indicates a blockage. Gently tapping these acupoints will help emotions flow and calm the mind.

When you feel fear (shaking hands), don't fight it. Accept that you have fear in your heart and that it is part of being human.

Breathe in and out calmly, focusing on your abdomen as you slow your breathing to a slow, steady pace. Relax your face.

Tap those acupuncture points in your hands, back, legs, and the whole body, and tell yourself:

I love myself, including my fears. I respect myself and I'm going to face my fears courageously. Nothing is going to stand in the way of me experiencing love.

I choose to start now and overcome these fears 100%. At the same time, I will experience peace and love in the process of confrontation, rejection, and knowing that this life will eventually come to an end.

Dear girl, I know you will be braver and more at ease facing all the high exams in life after experiencing such an ordeal.

If you have any questions, contact me: huikai790926. Spring flowers will bloom, and after the rain, a rainbow will come.

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Octavian Octavian A total of 6781 people have been helped

Good day. I am Qu Huidong, a psychological counselor who employs imagery as a communication tool.

The senior year is a significant period in an individual's life. It is plausible that as soon as the thought occurred, the subject began to experience anxiety unconsciously.

Regardless of academic performance, the majority of high school seniors exhibit this mindset, which is typified by external pressure and internal anxiety.

It would be beneficial to ascertain the temporal proximity of the onset of the stress-related anxiety.

Please describe the source of the stress at that time.

To what extent is this situation analogous to the stressors encountered during one's senior year of high school?

If you were to assign a numerical value to the level of stress experienced at that time, on a scale from 0 (no stress) to 10 (extremely stressful), what number would you choose?

I believe that by gaining this understanding, you will be better able to identify the underlying causes of your anxiety and assess your current stress levels.

You indicated that after initially noticing this phenomenon, you implemented schedule adjustments and increased your exercise regimen, which provided relief.

This is an efficacious approach to managing the situation. Have these methods continued to prove effective?

It is recommended that you persevere for as long as possible.

From your description, it appears that the current situation has evolved from a somatic response to anxiety to a state of obsessive thinking. There seems to be a tendency to doubt, which can also be considered a form of obsessive thinking. From this perspective, the anxiety appears to have intensified.

It is evident that parents can provide invaluable support. It is now essential to accompany your parents to the hospital's psychiatric department for a comprehensive diagnosis. The administration of medication in accordance with the prescribed regimen can effectively alleviate obsessive thoughts to a significant degree.

Appropriate anxiety is normal, but excessive or no anxiety will impair learning and work efficiency. The optimal method for identifying an anxiety level that is conducive to success is to learn through psychological counseling. In my experience of accompanying many college entrance examination candidates through this pivotal period in their lives, I have assisted them in courageously confronting anxious thoughts, organizing the disarray in their minds, and developing their own coping mechanisms to successfully navigate the significant challenges they face.

It is also advisable to consider psychological counseling at this time. Should you require such assistance, you are encouraged to discuss this with your parents. You are welcome to make an appointment for psychological counseling with me. I hope to be of service to you as you navigate the challenges of life with resilience and fortitude.

I wish you the best of luck!

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Eleanor Clark Eleanor Clark A total of 2097 people have been helped

Hello, my name is Wang Ying, and I'm a psychological counselor.

My dear girl, come here and give me a hug. You are now at the most beautiful stage of your life. You are facing a difficult situation at this age, and although it is sad, it will eventually become a story in the long river of your life. And behind it, there is also a gift waiting for you to open—this experience will allow you to grow and make your heart stronger and more resilient. This is an incredibly precious gift.

It's okay if you're feeling depressed, anxious, or fearful right now. Everything will get better, I promise! Our brains can be pretty tricky. They'll sometimes lie to us and make us feel like we're in danger. So when you feel dizzy, you might panic and think you're having a serious illness. Or when you see your hands shaking, you might be terrified of having a disease that's hard to treat. It's like your brain is trying to convince you that everything will be terrible. But it's not true!

At this time, you can gently remind yourself with the mantra, "Everything will be fine, everything will be fine, everything will be fine," to gently let go of any thoughts that might be holding you back. Afterwards, you will feel a lot and calm down, and everything really will be fine.

You've got to believe that you can save yourself. If you truly believe that everything in life can develop in a positive direction and will serve you, then you can have love.

Before, you were letting your fears and anxieties take over. Now, you need to let go of those negative thoughts and embrace a positive mindset. Imagine yourself acing the college entrance exam and getting into a great university. Just picture yourself walking onto campus with a spring in your step, ready to dive into the exciting world of higher education. Imagine a bright future full of possibilities, where anything is possible.

Since bad things make you so anxious and fearful, why not try thinking about something good to make you happy?

It's so important to remember that we can change our attitude towards life. All those bad scenarios you've got going on aren't part of you and they're not fixed in your system.

It's totally normal to feel anxious and fearful sometimes. But if you want to become more optimistic, meet a happier version of yourself, and make positive changes, you've got to push yourself out of your comfort zone and give it a go!

I totally get it. Your senior year of high school is a huge turning point in your life. It's a time of big changes and decisions that can feel overwhelming. It's totally normal to feel stressed and have some anxiety about the future. But you're in a unique position right now, and I believe you can face this challenge with a positive mindset. You can use this time to grow and develop in the direction you want to go. You've got this!

When you feel fear or anxiety, find a quiet place to sit down, take a deep breath, and stay with your feelings. They're just feelings, and they can't hurt you. Learn to see them, accept them, soothe them, and let them go. Tell yourself that these are just stories made up by your mind. They're not real, so don't believe them. When you face your feelings directly, they'll dissipate, and you'll feel relaxed and at ease.

The good news is that you can change your beliefs. You are the only one who can do this, and you can do it! It's just a change of mind. Make up your mind to do it once. Now go to the mirror, give yourself a smile, and see if your smile is as bright as the sun. Is life beautiful? Absolutely! A beautiful future is also coming towards you.

Get close to nature more often! Try to appreciate a tree or a flower, look at the blue sky and white clouds, close your eyes and feel the wind caress your face, and feel the silent power that nature brings to you. Your heart will become broad!

At the same time, try to be grateful for everything around you every day. Gratitude is such a wonderful, positive energy in life. When we're grateful, it helps us to appreciate the beauty of life, no matter what we're going through.

I really hope my answer helps you. Sending you lots of love!

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Isabella Marie Roberts Isabella Marie Roberts A total of 2473 people have been helped

The third year of high school is tough. Teachers, parents, and relatives all have high expectations. Third-year high school students are under a lot of pressure. When pressure is high, anxiety is natural. But anxiety varies from person to person.

The questioner was able to adjust their emotions, which helped ease their anxiety. With their parents' support, their anxiety eased even more.

The questioner's thinking and behavior have helped them cope with depression. They are not helpless and do not just escape. This is better than what many people do.

Anxiety causes physical symptoms, which means that the questioner is repressing their emotions. The questioner is very afraid, but doesn't know why. This requires the questioner to understand themselves better.

In our daily lives, we often see this: someone knows what something is like, but they don't know why. It's like the questioner's fear of shaking: they know they are afraid, but they don't know why.

Nothing terrible has happened, but you can't control the fear. This kind of fear comes from deep within.

If you don't know where your fear comes from, you will become anxious and afraid because you are afraid. This will intensify the fear in your heart and form a vicious cycle of fear. The fear has nothing to do with the current real life, but more with past growth experiences. To find the answer, the questioner needs to go back to the subconscious.

To face this fear, the questioner can try relaxation exercises to reduce fear and find a suitable counselor to release the deep-seated fear.

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Comments

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Jacobson Miller True learning is a journey of self-reflection and self-awareness.

I understand how overwhelming those feelings can be. It's great that you've already taken steps like morning jogging and adjusting your sleep schedule. Focusing on what you can control, like maintaining a healthy routine, might help to ease those fears over time.

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Ike Miller Be true to your word and your work and your friend.

It sounds like you're doing so much better now with the support of your parents and by making lifestyle changes. Maybe talking to someone, even if not a psychologist, like a trusted teacher or a counselor at school, could offer some comfort regarding your health concerns.

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Bennett Anderson True learning occurs when we step out of our comfort zones.

Sometimes our imagination can run wild with worstcase scenarios. Have you tried mindfulness or meditation? They can really ground you in the present moment and help manage those intrusive thoughts about potential illnesses.

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Mason Davis A teacher's perseverance in teaching is a model that students can follow in their own pursuits.

Your progress is commendable. Perhaps keeping a journal of your symptoms and activities could show you patterns and triggers. Over time, this might help you see that minor symptoms don't necessarily mean something serious is happening.

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Keith Jackson Learning is a way to leave a mark on the world.

It's good that you're aware of your tendency to magnify symptoms. Maybe setting up a system where you check in with yourself daily about your health worries and limit the time spent on these thoughts could be beneficial. This way, you give yourself permission to worry but also set boundaries.

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