Guilt and HA?

[purplesneakers]

Hi folks, I'm new here and have a question for you all.

I suspect I've had HA for about 6 years now, and I'm wondering if anyone else feels an extreme sense of guilt relating to their "diseases".  For instance, my most recent self diagnosis is one of heart disease and I'm just sure I gave it to myself because I used to smoke and didn't exercise enough or eat correctly.  I feel horrible that I may have given this illness to myself, it's one of the hardest things for me to deal with relating to my HA.  I feel like I have brought this all on myself given the bad habits I have had in the past.  I am curious as to whether or not that is common among those with HA or if that is something else (depression due to anxiety) sneaking its way in.

Thanks for any input.

[Bandini]

I often feel guilty about my HA.  It's mainly because for 2 years it's just been people saying "you're wrong, what you're doing and how you think is wrong."  And that's bled over into every other aspect of my life.  So I don't even bother going to the doctor anymore, and try not to talk to anyone about it because I just feel guilty now.

So yeah, I do feel an extreme sense of guilt, but I know I acquired it by my take on other people's reactions and words.

[emma09]

I feel guilty for thinking ive got an illness which in fact its just anxiety and theres other people out there with an actual illness

[PepeL]

Yea I do.  I think I'm a smart guy who's done well in life in every way.  So it angers myself that I can't fix this easily.  I feel like I failed myself sometimes.  I feel guilty that I talk about my health too much to my friends and family.  I feel guilty when I'm sitting in a doctor's office because of nothing worrying and they have sick people to see.  I feel guilty when the docs realize that I have nothing wrong.

[Jorden_M]

I feel guilty for thinking ive got an illness which in fact its just anxiety and theres other people out there with an actual illness

same here.

[Calamy]

I feel guilty when I feel good so I have symptoms all the time I think as a way to relieve that guilt. It's like see, I'm suffering, is this good enough yet?

I feel terrible about wasting so much money and time on my symptoms. I feel so stuck.

[sandorclegane]

I do feel guilty that I have a family and girlfriend that has to put up with someone that behaves and acts in the ways I do and has the issues that I have.

[gridder]

I've often wondered if many of us don't have unresolved guilt about bad habits. For me, I am overweight. I also see a higher percentage of smokers on this board than most other places.