psych ward

Home > Forums > Hypochondria & Health Anxiety

Thread Topic: psych ward

sfuchs413 Joined: Apr 5, '10 Status: New User	2010-04-05 16:10:32
	My husband is a hypochondriac. So I blocked sites on his laptop where he looks up symptoms. I stopped answering his health questions and doing my own research. This is a fairly new thing for him. He's always had anxiety but for about four months, it's progressed into this. He's been telling me whenever he feels some sort of sting in his body. His arm, his genitalia, his chest, his legs, his butt, etc. I usually just don't respond. Telling him I don't know. This method has worked the best so far but it's still hard to live with. He tells me/asks me what it is a few times an hour when we're together after work and then texts me while we're working a few times during a normal 8 hour day. It's gotten worse so quickly. He goes to the doctors once a week, and calls the office for advice a few times a week too. He hasn't had a good night sleep in a week. He can't function at work. He's missed so much due to his appointments. He's had a biopsy that will leave a permanent scar on his arm and he's had numerous tests done on his testicles in the past month. A few months ago, he was evaluated at a psych ward. They didn't admit him because they had no beds. He doesn't want to see his therapist. He says he doesn't help. I can't take this anymore. It's affecting our marriage and my own psyche. It's always about his pains/the disease of the week. Any advice? Should I take him to the hospital for behavioral health?
ovafear Joined: Nov 29, '09 Status: Junior User	2010-04-06 00:24:19
	Hi there- It sounds like you have your hands full at the moment. I do almost the same as youyr husband to be honest but I dont tell anyone, I suffer in silence. Do you know where this all began for him? Like a relative being ill or something in his childhood that would make him panic over nothing? Anxiety problems cause many different feelings, aches, pains, twitching etc.. that can be hard to deal with. I have all the above plus more and its so easy to have a small headache and turn it into a brain tumor- i will die- situation. Im not so bad anymore but for a few months I was back and forth to the doctors, they told me I needed to take it easy, lay off coffee and drinking, dont smoke (even though I dont) but I still had all these odd sensations. Until I saw a doctor at a medical centre and she asked me if I thought I had depression. I almost cried- she hit the nail on the head. My constant pre occupation about being 'ill' had caused major anxiety attacks and depression. Im not as bad now- but anything can set me off 'googling' things which is probably the worst thing we "hypocondriacs" can do. Has your husband talked to someone (other than annoying you) about this? I dont know if forcing him into seeing someone will help. He reallys need to do it himself. He may find it helpful to read up about health anxiety problems and how to overcome it. I have been on alot of helpful sites about anxiety disorders and depression. I know you said you are sick of him looking up sites, but these ones may help. Alot of people dont realise what they have is depression (especially males, my father wouldnt admit it) until they look into the illness and things begin to click into place. I wasnt too sure until I looked into what it ment and for me it was spot on. (im not expert, but anythings worth a try) I hope you find a way to help him. Stick by him, he needs you :o)
stuff Joined: Feb 28, '10 Status: Junior User	2010-04-06 06:30:19
	now, hes sick. get him help. if it gets to a point where u cnt take it anymore--leave.
1_schizo_grl Joined: Mar 15, '10 Status: Junior User	2010-04-12 11:24:51
	I agree with stuff.
Cindy Joined: Mar 22, '10 Status: Junior User	2010-04-27 14:12:19
	Is he indeed a hypochondirac or are those your words, sfuchs?I am not trying to be rude, but I had your same feelings about my mohter, in the past.... I am wondering, hypothetically, if he could have something actually wrong with him. The reason is, sometimes people get sick physically, especially when under a great deal of stress/anxiety. My mom, for instance, walked funny for a long time. She has been "sick" for years and finally it manifested itself in this funny little walk. Baby steps she took, little baby steps. It was embarrassing for my sister and me, because we thought it was in her head, or she was trying to get attention. The reason we didn't take her seriously was, of course, because she is a borderline, and we could not trust her to NOT manipulate us, through her health issues or any other means. In fact, all along, she was having mini strokes. Her brain was deteriorating and she was indeed sick. My sister and I felt terrible for doubting her. It is true, Mom's history made us doubt her, but it is also true that sick people actually get physically ill sometimes. Anyway, something to chew on. Have him see a specialist to rule out the possibility of real health issues and then you can have him assessed. I mean, if he JUST RECENTLY looks like a hypochonriac, maybe he isn't.
1_schizo_grl Joined: Mar 15, '10 Status: Junior User	2010-04-28 18:56:51
	Good advice, Cindy.
Cindy Joined: Mar 22, '10 Status: Junior User	2010-04-30 05:33:26
	Thanks Schizo, sometimes the best advice comes from the hardest lessons. I still feel bad about doubting Mom. She passed away this week and I remember all the good times. I focus on them now. She had a lot to offer, and when she was young...and I was very little, I hung latvhed onto her leg with my hands and feel as she lugged me around the kitchen, cleaning, lol. What a sight that must have been:)
ireland Joined: May 1, '10 Status: Junior User	2010-05-20 15:01:57
	I think i have tarried on this site too long and am now worried about my mental health lol,I will take what i gained with me and use it offline,Its not that different to be honest x
Need to see a psychologist? Find reviews on the best doctors in your area at Angie's List (Get access to thousands of reviews for a small charge)