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swmr1
USA
118 Posts |
 Posted - 01/21/2008 : 07:59:05
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I've noticed my tendency to be overly aware of how my body feels. I thought about this the other night when cuddling with my husband. He falls fast asleep and I can't stop thinking about how my shoulder or foot or something isn't comfortable. I think I'm hyper-aware of how my body feels more than the normal person.
A couple of months ago I was hospitalized with a pulmonary embolism as a result of the new birth control my OB put me on. Fortunately all went well and I'm fine now. I did, however, spend the first month of recovery constantly aware of how every inch of my calf felt (obsessing over DVT's) and whether or not my chest felt tight. I ended up in the ER (needlessly) two more times because I was so hyper-aware of how everything felt.
I'm guessing a lot of us on this board do a physical inventory and are obsessively aware of how parts of our body are feeling a whole lot more than most. I guess that could be related to rage or stress or just personality. Anyone have any thoughts?
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mizlorinj
USA
490 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2008 : 13:46:46
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I used to be an overthinker but mostly about situations and unknowns; not necessarily about how something felt (body part).
Do you think the underlying feeling you get is fear? I feel my arm and I'm afraid . . . ?? Did the hospital episode after an embolism trigger it more? Just making some suggestions. . . not sure what you're feeling.
But if it is fear (or another emotion), how about doing some writing about the feeling? You may start and realize there is another underlying emotion. . . I found starting to write has brought me to some interesting emotional releases! 
-Lori |
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wrldtrv
666 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2008 : 19:38:35
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swmr1,
This hyper-vigilance sounds very much like hypochondria, which I know well. Once it becomes obvious there is really nothing physically wrong with you, try to disengage from it, however you can. Distract, ignore, whatever works. The worst thing to do is ruminate over it as this simply reinforces it.
Combatting this is a work in progress; advance, retreat, advance... |
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swmr1
USA
118 Posts |
Posted - 01/26/2008 : 08:05:01
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Thanks for the replies. Yeah, I think fear probably plays a part. For the longest time fear of not being able to do the activities I love was a big part of my problem. I've learned to battle that. I am learning to do the same after my PE though that was a little more frightening as it's a potentially fatal situation. Having kids makes that a particularly scary thing for me.
I do think I'd be a total hypochondriac if I didn't fight the urge to worry about every little thing. I do a lot of the "ignore it and it will go away" thing these days. Fortunately that works much of the time. But throwing a for real medical problem in there freaked me out a little, I think. Since I tend toward obsession, I have become aware of my tendencies and that helps me chill out a little. |
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JohnD
USA
371 Posts |
Posted - 01/26/2008 : 12:24:01
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I think what you do sounds very normal considering what you recently went through. How about just allowing yourself to be that way for a while?
Is it possibly to link up with an alternative health practitioner or someone who could help you take some steps to decrease your risk of DVTs, and other concerns to help give you some peace of mind about those things?
Take care,
John |
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Overly aware?
