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[Absolute Niro]

So I'm very anxious about my health, I'm convinced I have cancer or lupus or something horrible but I don't want to go to a doctor since it's most likely just a psychological thing. It's pretty annoying to constantly be worried though, anyone know a good way to calm down?

I wouldn't call it hypochondria since I'm not just making symptoms up, I just look for them and happen to actually find them. The problem is I fear they're related to something much more serious than they're likely to be. 

[professorlamp]

Go.To.A.Doctor

[Absolute Niro]

I would, but I don't wanna spend money on something I don't have to.

[TheZoomZoll]

Google images on lupus looks horrible.
If it looks something like that you really should go to a doctor to check it out.
Also as a tip try to think positively because it affects your health.
Being down and sad will make your health worse.Its an unexplained thing that was shown to be true by science.

[Absolute Niro]

Ah, the problem is that I don't have any symptoms that are likely to be related to anything serious. The only thing I'm really worried about is the fact that I have enlarged lymph nodes at least three places in my body, which is apparently unusual. I do have a toe infection so I suppose it could be that, but it's still sorta worrisome.

I've been to a doctor with it once, and he wasn't worried at all, but he never really looked at it properly, just sort of dismissed it.

[Shook]

He probably did so because he could immediately see that it wasn't serious. I totally know what you're feeling, i'm like that myself, but i've never actually had anything serious afflict me while i was in that "MAN I MUST BE SUFFERING FROM EVERYTHING" loop (example: i occasionally feel stinging pains in my ribs, but i haven't ever had any problems with my heart beyond having an abysmal endurance [which is more closely related to my lack of motion]). With that said, keep an eye on your toe infection, because infections CAN be serious if they aren't kept in check.

So, pray tell, are these symptoms you're seeing rather vague? Because those are easy to be like "yeah actually i might have that" about. 99 out of 100 times, however, it's just in your head. It's quite amazing how much your mind can affect your physical well-being, but also pretty annoying. Kind of like self-fulfilling prophecies, you feel bad because you think you feel bad.

WITH THAT SAID AGAIN, if you genuinely think there might be something that wasn't there last time to checked up with a doctor, go to the doctor. If it's bad, the doctor can help. If it's nothing, you'll stop worrying, which also helps a lot. If you can afford it, i'd say that is money well spent.

[Absolute Niro]

The symptoms are very vague, they're basically only the fact that I have enlarged lymph nodes in 3 or 4 different places in my body, which shouldn't really happen. I've been to my doctor with the toe infection, anyways, and I'm taking antibiotics for it, so no worries there.

[Shook]

Sounds like... Well, nothing, really. Your lymph nodes generate white blood cells to combat infections (i think, been a while since i had biology class), so yeah, if they actually are enlarged, it probably has to do with that. I'm obviously no doctor, but based on what you've told us, i wouldn't worry. Besides, if you actually were seriously ill, you'd be too busy feeling like shit to worry about it. I mean, last time you had a flu, you probably weren't thinking "oh man what foul disease is afflicting me now?" as much as "when will this be over?".

I of all people know that it's difficult to rationalize what you're seeing/feeling, but i've also experienced that having others confirm that nothing's wrong is really helpful. So, here's me confirming that it's extremely unlikely that there's anything serious afflicting you. (b'_')b

[Absolute Niro]

Yeah, I don't feel sick at all, I'm pretty sure it's just a reaction due to my toe. Thanks for the advice, I'll try and calm down.

[ChairmanPoo]

Instead of going to a doctor, address the root cause and avoid googling symptoms instead.

[scriver]

Or go see a psychologist.

[Absolute Niro]

Instead of going to a doctor, address the root cause and avoid googling symptoms instead.

 You got me.

[Spaghetti7]

Woop, health anxiety. I used to have this quite badly about vomiting and still do, but to a much lesser extent. I had a rather close up experience with my family getting a vomiting bug and found I didn't actually get it. That has helped a lot and I'm a lot less of a worrier because of it but, unfortunately, I don't have any advice other than trying to be relatable. Nothing really worked for me before, and I can't guarantee it will for you either. Good luck.

[kerlc]

My suggestion to you would be that you go to a doctor, but since that's not an option, I'd say that you should calm down a little and possibly consult a psychologist.

Oh, and I have the polar opposite of Health anxiety. I never see my symptoms.