Why am I always sick?

Question

It has been four or five years or so, and I am always sick. As if I have some debris rattling around in my lungs or something, making me cough a lot and feel crappy. The less sleep I get, the more this surfaces. I might add that I have severe depression, too. Other than that, I am very healthy, and the doctor could find nothing wrong when I inquired about this...

Richard · Accepted Answer

Since you didn't provide any diagnoses provided by your doctor, I am going to go out on a limb and say you may be a hypochondriac

? · Answer

I'm very sorry! But, you will like to know that soon the diseases will no longer exist. This article explains.
https://www.jw.org/finder?docid=102007003&prefer=lang&wtlocale=E

jannsody · Answer

I'm not sure if you've been to a board-certified pulmonologist (lung dr), but that may be the next step with your symptoms.  If the lung specialist doesn't find any significant related issues, such as from the results of a "pulmonary function test" and/or ct (computerized tomography) scan of the chest, for instance, then perhaps you may consider (along with your doctor/s) whether those symptoms are, in part, due to the depression and/or anxiety.

For those with mental health (and/or addiction) issues, this website should have some local counseling agencies:

https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/

Their toll-free 24/7 ** referral ** hotline:

1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Someone mentioned the term "hypochondriac" or someone with hypochondriasis, which is apparently now referred to as "illness anxiety disorder," such as those who still believe that he or she has a serious illness or condition, even if medical tests show otherwise.

I'm not sure if you're having symptoms of "illness anxiety disorder," but if the pulmonologist doesn't find anything concerning about related tests, perhaps you may consider getting treatment for that as well.

However, someone who has repetitive thoughts (obsessions) about potential health issues but *does* get a "reassurance" from medical tests that are negative (normal), that may be considered the anxiety disorder known as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).  Please, though, do *not* try to provide a self-diagnosis or self-treatment and talk with a medical doctor about your current symptoms.  For someone with an actual diagnosis of OCD, he or she may engage in "seeking reassurance" (a type of ritual or compulsion) from family or friends, in addition to from licensed health care professionals.

Why am I always sick?

3 Answers