Our hypochondria can even stop us from doing the things we enjoy or need to do. "Don't eat that ice cream." "Don't get on the exercise bike." "Avoid anything that increases your heart rate...Including that!" At the time it's hard to realise that doing nothing at all is worse for your health. Sometimes it can go as far as agoraphobia. Staying at home seems like a safer bet just in case you fall ill when you're out and about. Doing absolutely nothing like that isn't living, it's just existing. So basically you're not living so you won't die. Not so clever now, are you?
5. A Headache Must Mean Certain Death
So, youve got something like a headache. Do you simply realise it will go away or that you just need to drink some more water or put your glasses on? Absolutely not! You show the world youre a potential gold medallist jumper of conclusions at the next Olympics. Racing straight past the more realistic and likely answer, you will only stop at the least likely and worst possible outcome. We hypochondriacs ignore the reality time and time again. It doesnt matter how many times weve had a headache and it turn out to be nothing, we still catastrophize it. The hundredth headache in our lives will still be considered, for instance, a brain tumour. Logic has packed its bag and gone on holiday during this time and we would really appreciate for it to come back as soon as possible. Do you remember when you had one the other week and it went away and you didn't die? Keep remembering that part.
4. You Never Believe What Your Doctor Says
When we finally cave in and go to the doctors it's a great relief to be told we're really fine. Walking back home you feel so much better. Umm... Well... Until maybe two days later when you discredit everything they said and start believing your worries again. You go through the whole appointment from start to finish and remind yourself the reassuring news from your GP, but this time your demons grab hold of that news and eat it. Now all we can think about is how doctors can "get things wrong" and "aren't thorough enough and miss things". Gaahhhh!
