"Battling health anxiety"

For the past 4 years I suffered from minor and major bouts of health anxiety, it was present throughout that time but the severity of it changed depending on what symptoms or stress I was going through at the time.

It started when I experienced heart palpitations for the first time, numbness and tingling sensations in my arms, shortness of breath, etc. I never experienced nor heard of palpitations before. I rushed straight to the hospital thinking I was suffering from a heart attack, I was seen by many nurses and doctors, went through various tests including ECG's X-rays, blood tests... the nurse told me that all my tests were fine and they gave me no explanation of what the causes were and didn't even tell me anything about palpitations or physical symptoms of stress (not that I would've believed the latter).

Because of this I cut out a lot and associated the 'mini heart attack' with food, activities, smoking. I avoided so much and as a result I suffered from so much more, I went to the doctors at least once every two weeks, I went A&E quite regularly. I had multiple tests done including MRI's, echocardiogram.

Things did improve intermittently but it never really went away because I ended up avoiding a lot instead of facing my anxiety. It got so severe the past year due to a lot of stress that I could openly admit to that I decided to see a counsellor.

I did CBT the first year I started suffering and it was one of the worst experiences of my life, the counsellor was very detached, and very time conscious. I was very reluctant to try again but I guess the people around me pushed me to do it. I even tried to see if I could go private, there was one counsellor who did mindfulness CBT but I contacted her on multiple occasions and got no response.

I waited 16 weeks to meet my CBT counsellor and I couldn't of been more happier with the man I got, Dr Dzenga - absolute God send. He has helped change my life in ways I can't describe. In CBT it is very easy to open up fully to someone then feel like you are a complete stranger after the session. It was never that way with him, he made me feel at ease and cared for. The passion he exuded for making your life happier, more meaningful was extraordinary.

He truly cared for my progression and it was evident that this was not a job to him but something that he loved to do. I could not thank him enough, he provided me with the tools I needed to go off by myself and utilise them. Such an intelligent and amazing person and I wouldn't be in the place I am now without him.

I have now faced a lot of my anxieties and have become stronger as a result. I started to do yoga and mindfulness meditation at the same time and it definitely helped me. I pray that my short testimony can help someone out there who really needs it. Know you are not alone and you can and will overcome it! Take each day as it comes and focus on the present moment. Don't base your experience on someone else's as it is unique to you.