Hyper-aware of specific body parts

[Beth]

Annoying symptom of the day:

Lately, I've become what I would call hyper-aware of certain body parts. The other day, for example, I woke up with a sore shoulder. I couldn't stop thinking about it. The more I thought about it, the more it hurt, etc. I was worried that it was going to go numb or stiffen up. It was the only thing I could think about.

Today, I can't stop thinking about my right foot. I've been doing a lot of walking this summer (3-5 miles about 4 times a week), and I think I may have plantar fasciitis (sore heels/arches) from all the walking and probably also because I need better support in my shoes. Anyway, I've been trying to stretch out my legs and feet to ward off pain, but I feel like I'm totally fixated on my right foot. It's like I want to keep moving it or changing positions, because I'm afraid it will start to hurt or go numb on me. But I may be causing my foot to feel weird just because I can't stop thinking about this. And, of course, this all feeds into my neurological worries.

[scooter]

This is the thing with all HA isn't it? We are aware of what most people feel briefly and then put out of their minds. We feel every little bit and part and if it is bothering us we imagine the worst. I think this hyper-awarenss is something we must somehow learn to tone down. When I am getting like that i go watch TV or listen to music or do anything to distract myself so I can divert my attention.

[Beth]

I guess diverting attention often is the key ... we had some people over at our house for a few hours tonight, and I managed to forget about my foot going number or getting pins and needles. Didn't think much about it at all. Then, shortly after they left, I remembered that I hadn't been thinking about my foot -- and I immediately started checking to see how it felt. It felt fine ... but the more I thought about it, the more it felt weird again!

[Pan]

Being overly sensitive to bodily sensations is a classic part of anxiety and HA.

Trying to ignore the sensation and diverting thoughts elsewhere is, in many ways, a short term fix.  You have fears and you must address these fears in order to contact them.  If you feel a pain in your chest do not ignore the worry that you could be having a heart attack....say over and over I could be having a heart attack almost like a mantra, this could be applied to any sensation you have, I believe you must face the ultimate fear of what you think it COULD be in the worse possible scenario.

Once you apply this and once time and time again you see that the sensations do not lead to the horrific outcome you have envisaged, the words and more importantly negative thought process become meaningless and sterile.  Of course, this is a hard process to begin but it really works and more importantly it leads to a long term improvement as you are tackiling your fears head on and negating them.

Look up a book called The Worry Cure, the author escapes me but you should find it under the title on Amazon....it really is a fantastic help and has a really useful section on understanding and conquering health anxiety.

Good Luck

[powderkeg241]

I do this too. The funny thing is when I move to a new body part to focus on, earlier symptoms are gone. I keep moving until I get something that reinforces a serious illness (usually cancer, MS, ALS).  I keep telling myself how ironic it is that my earlier concerns evaporate with a new focus. 

[Xalatimo]

sounds like OCD

[Pan]

sounds like OCD

Whilst it can be assumed that many people who suffer from anxiety and/or health anxiety in particular may gave traits of OCD I do not think that the OP is necessarily showing signs of OCD.

As mentioned, it is part and parcel of health anxiety to become more aware and sensitive too bodily sensations....this is not OCD but rather more of a negative preoccupation with health.

[Beth]

Hi Pan,
I was thinking about your idea of telling myself about the worst possible outcome, over and over, until the words lose their power, so to speak. That is something I've been able to do in other areas of my life. I don't let the little irritations at work, for example, bother me much anymore. For some reason, it is so much harder to do this with health (the one big issue that I really care about). Thank you for the book recommendation as well! I'm going to find it.

[starrynight]

i notice everything, twinge, twitch, tingle you name it, my doctor told me not to look so closely at myself. since my h.a began i have such a heightened self awareness it can consume me, i try to disctract myself and not run to every medical website created, but thats easier said then done