I'm very afraid and concerned about my health I feel like I'm going downwards because of it

 Hi Sharry,

Thank you for your question. This is a very brave step you are taking with reaching out for help. Concerns of health, well-being, and death are fears that occupy many people's minds. You are not alone in your feelings. Being concerned about health or increased anxiety about death can be signs of other symptoms such as anxiety and/or depression. I also encourage you at this time to focus on what is within your control in terms of managing your thoughts and fears about these issues:

-How proactive are you about your health? One way to manage concerns about health is to take good care of yourself through regular medical check ups, a good diet, and exercise.

-Weigh the evidence regarding your current health. When you feel anxious, remind yourself that you are in a healthy place and there is no evidence of sickness or health issues. Or if there are actual health concerns, remind yourself of the different treatment options you have.

-Utilize anxiety management techniques such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, talking a walk for fresh air, etc when you feel the anxious thoughts starting to rise.

-You mentioned every time you see death, it increases your anxiety. What ways are you seeing or being reminded of death? Are you limiting your exposure to the news or social media in a way that does not overwhelm you about tragic things that occur?

-Who are you without the anxiety or constant worries about death?

-What is going well in your life right now? What makes you feel alive and fulfilled?

-Who is in your support system? How can you get the support you need during this time?

-What lessons can be learned from this time that can aid you for challenges in the future? When you think about six months or a year from now, what do you want your journey to look like? How do you want to describe to others how you were able to navigate this tough time?

You might also want to look into group or individual therapy to help address these concerns about health and dying.

In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), one main focus is interrupting negative thought patterns and replacing them with alternative ones that can give you a more positive outlook on your situation. Perhaps an alternative way of looking at your situation is “I have some worries and fears about my health right now, but they do not have to consume me or send me on a downward spiral. I can gain control of my thoughts and do ____________ to maintain good health and well-being." It might also be helpful to see this time as great opportunity for self-growth and to enhance coping techniques and self-care.

In Narrative Therapy, part of the journey is to help clients start living their preferred story. For example, write out how you see what your life's journey has been up until this point. Think about what you would want your preferred narrative to be versus the one that you are currently living. Then write out that preferred narrative. Ask yourself "What would it look like to live a life where I focused on things that keep me motivated and fulfilled about life"? How would things be different in my life if I practiced daily self-care and managed my physical and mental health in a healthy way?

Navigating feelings about life, health, and death can be challenging, but worth the journey to get to a healthier and more fulfilling place. I encourage you to be kind and patient with yourself as you work towards managing this challenging time and improving your emotional well-being overall.