getting people to listen

[there_there]

Does anyone else find that their health anxiety affects relationships with friends and family? For me, it does. Not only that, but it affects me when trying to form new ones.

One other thing. This may sound odd, but does anyone find themselves diagnosing others? I mean, finding that friends have family have symptoms and wondering whether there is something wrong with them?

Any thoughts............................... ..?

[dizziegirl3]

o my gosh all the time!!!!!!!! i find i just look at people and listen to them and right away think they have something wrong and can't believe that they are not freaking out about it. i think (and this may sound REALLY bad) but thinking that other people really have something wrong with them makes me feel better , or maybe not better but makes me say "hey look this person is really sick" and you sit home and make up pains or well if this person is sick at least i have someone to be sick with !!!!!!! i wish i could just turn off the "dr" mode for one day!!!!!!!!

[Julielee]

I'm so preoccupied with diagnosing myself no time for othrs!!

[there_there]

I know, Dizzy - it's awful, but it can be reassuring to see others getting ill. I know it sounds terrible, but sometimes it helps to know that it's not just you who gets ill. I suppose that's why we're all on here! Also, it does feel like I'm in 'Dr mode' all the time -  constantly on the lookout for symptoms. I just keep telling myself that I don't really know anything about medicine, since I have yet to correctly diagnose myself with anything!