Can someone be a hypochondriac, but with mental illnesses not physical?!
Question: I'm 16 years old and I almost obessively read about mental illnesses and think I have them. I will read a mental illness and almost convince myself I have it, which gives me an anxiety attack. To give you an example of how bad this is, in the passed month I have been scared that I have:
Bipolar illness
Schizophrenia
Shizoid personality disorder
ADHD
Aspegers Syndrome
I know its ridiculous! I obviously dont really have all these problems because no one has them all together. I am almost like a hypochondriac but with mental illness, not physical. Is this even possible?? What is wrong with me? I can't stop worrying I have something wrong with me and looking up symptoms. I spend about 3 hours of my day if not MORE looking up symptoms!
Answers: I'm 16 years old and I almost obessively read about mental illnesses and think I have them. I will read a mental illness and almost convince myself I have it, which gives me an anxiety attack. To give you an example of how bad this is, in the passed month I have been scared that I have:
Bipolar illness
Schizophrenia
Shizoid personality disorder
ADHD
Aspegers Syndrome
I know its ridiculous! I obviously dont really have all these problems because no one has them all together. I am almost like a hypochondriac but with mental illness, not physical. Is this even possible?? What is wrong with me? I can't stop worrying I have something wrong with me and looking up symptoms. I spend about 3 hours of my day if not MORE looking up symptoms!
It is notoriously difficult to diagnose any mental illness, which is why it is up to the professionals to do it. I advise the following actions:
1. Stop self-diagnosing yourself! Jeeze, the number of problems people have in the world that could be solved with this simple piece of advice is astonishing! Especially in regards to mental disorders, of which all symptoms can be exhibited by anyone to various degrees at many times in their lives without there being an underlying illness.
This is frequently called "cyberchondria," and is not always a bad thing, but can often be irresponsible.
Also, that's the only step. If you continue to worry, see a doctor or a therapist who might be able to check you over.
You probably do actually have a mental illness: hypochondriasis. It is only a true disorder if it causes significant problems in your day-to-day life, and this sort of obsession and hours-long daily looking up of symptoms certainly qualifies. This is ironic on so many levels. You have to see real professionals about it because looking for help and information on the Internet is the problem that needs to be solved. Step away from the computer.
Yes you can.
It is possible though, that you indeed have some form of mental illness without having a factitious disorder.
Have you ever seen anyone about it?
I know it why humilate you, but you should.
This happens to lots of people. Sometimes once you learn something, you feel like it becomes a part of you. If you would like to be sure about something to feel better, try talking to a psychiatrist, he may be reassuring.
Find a way to stop compulsively researching this stuff. Focus your energy elsewhere. :)
By the way, in my first psychology class, the professor mentioned that a lot of students tend to do this to not only themselves, but to friends and family. It's definitely common.
I am a nurse.
Let me tell you that the worst thing you can do is look things up on the net to find out what might be wrong with you.
If you have these concerns? Then go to a therapist and find out.
A good therapist or psychiatrist will know what's wrong if anything.
Best of luck.
i used to do the same thing.. i was really depressed and almost wished something was wrong with me so at least i knew what it was ... but it was just depression..which in turn causes anxiety.. you have to give it all you got and not look up things.. the less you know the better ,lol, in this situation anyway... just keep telling yourself that there is no way i could have these illnesses, someone would notice...hope this helps a little
i would assume that you have obsessive compulsive disorder!
you do not have ADHD because you requested help!!
that is one of the anti-symptoms!!
go to google, and type in mentall illness and their symptoms, youll get a neat result!
omgomgogmgg, did you know, by imagining You have a disorder, you can ACTUALLY GIve your body the symptoms or that disorder?? (if you know them)
WITHOuT REALLY HAVING THE DISORDER???
Listen; i am VERY sure your FIne. OK??? HEAR IT: I A>M< P.R.E.T.TY S.U.R.E Y.O.u.RRRRR FINEEEEEE!!!!!!!!
seriously; THE FIRST THING YOU gotta do is
STOP FREAKING LOOKING AT SYMPTOMS. A little knowledge can be VERY dangerous.
SERIOUSLY. your in NO place to DIAGNOSE yourself.
if you've got anything it would be the NEED FOR SLEEP, healthy diet, and SOME ACTIVITY.
REALLY!!!!
Cmonnn!!!! your probably jsut fine. Seriosly. I AM NOT A DOCTOR SO I AM Not A aLL KNOwING BEING< BUTTTT I had a similar situation (almost exactly similar) and i DONT HAVE ANY OF Thoes disorders. I was imagining the symptoms. Really.
if anythign you have the issue where people get PARANOID about diseases (that is a real disease) but again; im SURE (pretty sure) that you dont have it.
also; OCd. obsessive compulsive looking up diseases you DONT have and are imagininggg!!!!
seriosly.
BUTTT: if you cant stop obsessing: thats the thing you need to tell the doc.
but really, i dont think its 'that' type of case.
HEY: gOod LUCk.
And PS. just find sometign else to do w/ ur time, OK????? <3333333
EDITTTT: it couldl be an ocd, but im sticking to my guns, i think your jsut tired, need more rest, and need to go out with friend,
HAVE A LITTLE FAITH GIRL. your Probably just fine!!!! seriously. sTOp worrying yourself about it. IF yOu DID have somthing im pretty sure your mom &&&& your doctor would have caught it by now; if not; I m pretty sure your probably just fine.
KKK???? <333333333 seriously. <33
well ocd does make you consistontly worry about things so.. i sugest u take a cognitive behavourial therpy it helped me alot