Hypochondria / Illness anxiety

[Danski]

Hi all

Ever since been diagnosed in mid-July a few months ago, I've suddenly found myself to be deeply anxious of my diabetes. I've heard that diabetes can increase your risk of various diseases like cancer, auto-immune diseases, etc. This has heightened my own sensitivity to every pain or sensation in my body. I've started checking my poop everyday for color, consistency, etc. I've went to a skin doctor to remove a couple of displastic moles, and I'm constantly reading up medical articles trying to find reassurance on the bodily sensations I'm feeling.

Since the diagnosis, I have been eating a textbook low carb diet - 95% whole foods and 5% indulgence, consisting mainly of fish, seeds, nuts, lots of different colored vegetables, low carb milk. Until very recently, I was eating a near-keto diet with very little carb. This has brought my hb1ac down from 6.5 to 5.4 on the first retest 2 months later (which I was super happy with), but my low C-peptide test has got my doctor concerned about Type 1 - both tests (one was GAD, not sure about the other) came back negative, which a bit of a relief, but LADA remains a possibility.

Long story short, this anxiety has made me depressed. I'm trying to distract myself with work and other things. I've found it hard to be excited about anything nowadays. I just splurged on a new Ipad Pro last week which normally would've made me jump up and down like a 5 year kid with a new gadget, but it's just "meh" for me now.

Anyone been through this? How do I get out of this ?

Thanks,
Dan

 

[sue512]

My attitude is that if I’m low carbing and have improved my blood picture then probably (not sure if any studies) I’ve decreased my risk of other nasties. I also approach life with the attitude that if you put a problem in front of me then I’ll deal with it, but until then worrying won’t change anything. I’m so sorry your anxiety has begun to make you depressed. Probably all of us go through a period of grief like reaction to a diagnosis that changes our lives but you are taking charge and dealing with it with the changes you’ve already made, what more as individuals can we do?

 

[Lamont D]

I have been through tough times, with anxiety and depression. But mine is nothing to do with my condition.
I still have anxiety, but my depression has lifted, I am a lot more positive now.
If you are concerned or worried talk to someone, who you can trust won't divulge your issues.
Your GP can help in so many ways. They are the inbetween people to getting counselling.
Learn about your condition. Ask every question you can about it.
Learn about the best way to deal with it. Ask more questions.
This will take time, which is good, because you can't rush this.
You are saying the right things, so yes, work, leisure, doing things that do occupy your brain, but ultimately, you need the tools to cope with your anxiety.
There is real help out there. You just have to ask. Be honest with yourself and your issues with whoever you talk to.
Talk is good. You have made the first step. Baby steps,
Keep safe.