Health related anxiety is taking over my life – I can’t stop worrying

DEAR DEIDRE: LATELY, I’ve been having lots of niggling aches and pains, and they’re making me very anxious about my health.

Sometimes my imagination runs away with me.

One twinge in my chest, and I am picturing my own funeral.

I’m a 54-year-old man and I’ve never had any major medical issues. I even missed out on Covid.

But I do know men my age who’ve suddenly dropped dead. And everyone gets something in the end, don’t they?

For the past few days, I’ve had tightness in my stomach after eating, and some backache, and this morning I had an ache in my right arm.

For a minute, I thought I was having a heart attack.

My wife, 51, says I’m a hypochondriac and tells me to pull myself together.

What should I do?

DEIDRE SAYS: Health anxiety is a common problem, especially as we get older and become more aware of our own mortality.

If you’ve known people who’ve died suddenly, this can be a trigger.

Talking does help. If you want to talk to a professional about this, contact anxietyuk.org.uk (0344 477 5774).

As for your symptoms, it’s always wise to make an appointment with your GP. If there’s anything wrong you can get treatment and stop worrying.