Coping help?

Hi HW, hope you're all doing well :)

I'd love to hear some of your opinions and tricks to cope with anxiety (specifically health anxiety). One of my biggest triggers of anxiety (that I've noticed, anyway) is simply the question "but what if it isn't just anxiety?". This question seems to accompany any new change in feeling/pain in my body. The logical & calm side of me can see that yes, there is a large chance I am suffering from "just" anxiety. However, the moment I experience pain/light headedness/palpitations etc, my mind starts racing and it takes a real effort to talk myself out of having a panic attack. I notice that if I don't have my guard up, I'm much more susceptible to these attacks. Having this guard up the entire time is mentally and physically exhausting for me, and the more tired I get, the more my anxiety seems to creep through.

Then there are feelings like the sharp pain I feel at the back/side of my head at random times (are these head zaps?). They only last between 1-10 seconds, then after I can't feel them. However they are a guaranteed way of setting off my anxiety, and I haven't yet found a way to talk myself down after experiencing them.

So really, what I'm asking is, how do you all cope and not let the anxiety consume you?

Thanks :)

I get all of the sharp pains you speak of on the left side of my head. I imagine they're related to nerves or something? I experienced them for the first time months ago and nothing has happened haha! I know what you mean though when it comes to not being able to think logically when a panic attack is coming around. It tries to take over.. The best thing you can do is try to not fall for its tricks or else it will be much worse. Panic sucks trust me I know haha just remember to breathe and be patient. The terrible feeling WILL pass