It is fair to say that the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown everyone’s lives for a loop. However, it is important to recognize that some are more vulnerable to stress and anxiety. And one group that is particularly affected is those who are hypochondriacs: a person who has extreme anxiety about their health, leading them to believe that they have a disease.
I have been a hypochondriac my entire life. I have had Web.Md bookmarked on my computer for years now and anytime I feel the slightest symptom, I self-diagnosis and convnce myself that it’s a serious condition. After the pandemic hit, I realized I could not psych myself out and convince myself I had COVID-19, when in reality it was just allergies.
Throughout the past few months I have been sick a handful of times. I’ve had sore throats, stomach aches, eye issues and also a hive outbreak. A google search of these symptoms could easily lead me to a COVID-19 diagnosis. However, I was quick to find out that these problems had no correlation to the disease.
The silver lining for me has been reminding myself that regardless of COVID-19, people are going to get sick. My roommate was experiencing an incredibly painful sore throat, accompanied by fatigue for a week, just to learn it was strep throat.
A close friend of mine (who would like to remain anonymous), has continued to give me the same reassuring advice over the past few weeks, “As someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, my biggest advice is to do your part. I wouldn’t want anyone to experience the rough week of sickness I went through. Just wear a mask, wash your hands frequently and don’t attend large group gatherings. You can decipher what is right and what is wrong,” my friend said.
As a hypochondriac, my biggest takeaway from the pandemic is to calm down. Don’t be quick to make assumptions about your symptoms, do your part to keep yourself and those around you healthy. Granted, it is easier said than done, but we’re all doing our best and that is enough.
