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Being a Bit of a Hypochondriac

1
I thought it was time to get something off my rather (tight) chest…And breathe.
Firstly, people often tell me they think I’m a cool, calm and in control kind of chick, which is very flattering and all, but it’s simply not true.
Not all of the time, at least. Not when it comes to my health.
You see, I’m a bit of a hypochondriac, OK I’m a lot of one, and it was time to put it out there so other mamas possibly a little preoccupied with their health too, might not feel so alone.
Looking back, I think it’s always been there, I was a born worrier
SelfishMother.com
2
and come from a long line of worriers, (my late Grandma once told me ’it’s my job to worry’)- I distinctly remember reading those self-diagnostic health books of the 80’s and 90’s as a child that my Mum, had in the house. This was, of course, before you could Google ’I have a nosebleed, will I die?’
Fast forward to being a mum of two and I feel my hypochondria has scaled up a notch, or ten.
I’m on a first name basis with my GP, OK all of the GPs in the practice (don’t judge), my best friend, Will, is (thankfully) a doctor (anaesthetist) and is
SelfishMother.com
3
subject to many a concerned FB message- another good mate, a registrar, too, is on speed dial aka ’WhatsApp’ (where I regularly upload images of ailments)-with appeals for text-diagnoses on demand.
Poor guys.
Good job I can offer Greek food and Prosecco a-plenty as payment for their services in kind. I’m a fun girl and great friend too, when I’m not worrying about the latest health niggle.
The irony is that when my kids (my complete world) are ever unwell, I’m fairly strong in dealing the issue at hand, and managing my reaction.
I don’t assume
SelfishMother.com
4
the worst, as I do when it comes to myself but I’m proactive, get them seen by a doctor if necessary and on the road to feeling well again. Action Mama, that’s me.
Yet when it comes to myself, I flounder, I worry, I become anxious and paranoid-undoubtedly because I need to be well and healthy for those little boys of mine.
I know I’m not alone either, relatively serene mates pre-children are now serial GP groupies, anxious to remain as healthy as possible which can lead to exaggerated concerns.
And that’s not all bad I suppose. I’d rather that
SelfishMother.com
5
way than negligent.
The reality is we all need to be vigilant,  to check for lumps, discuss potential medical concerns, physical and emotional, and be proactive when it comes to monitoring our health.
It’s just about not letting it get out of hand.
If I’m honest, I’m not sure how to become more chilled about health. I just know I have to try.
I don’t want my kids worrying as I do.
I know they look at me to remain as composed as possible, whatever the situation.
I just want to find a bit more balance.
I need to stop photographing rashes and
SelfishMother.com
6
emailing my doctor mates, don’t I?!
Help.
Do you ever feel the same?!
Vicki writes parenting and lifestyle blog Honest Mum and is an award winning filmmaker.
SelfishMother.com

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- 13 Dec 15

I thought it was time to get something off my rather (tight) chest…And breathe.

Firstly, people often tell me they think I’m a cool, calm and in control kind of chick, which is very flattering and all, but it’s simply not true.

Not all of the time, at least. Not when it comes to my health.

You see, I’m a bit of a hypochondriac, OK I’m a lot of one, and it was time to put it out there so other mamas possibly a little preoccupied with their health too, might not feel so alone.

Looking back, I think it’s always been there, I was a born worrier and come from a long line of worriers, (my late Grandma once told me ‘it’s my job to worry’)- I distinctly remember reading those self-diagnostic health books of the 80’s and 90’s as a child that my Mum, had in the house. This was, of course, before you could Google ‘I have a nosebleed, will I die?’

Fast forward to being a mum of two and I feel my hypochondria has scaled up a notch, or ten.

I’m on a first name basis with my GP, OK all of the GPs in the practice (don’t judge), my best friend, Will, is (thankfully) a doctor (anaesthetist) and is subject to many a concerned FB message- another good mate, a registrar, too, is on speed dial aka ‘WhatsApp’ (where I regularly upload images of ailments)-with appeals for text-diagnoses on demand.

Poor guys.

Good job I can offer Greek food and Prosecco a-plenty as payment for their services in kind. I’m a fun girl and great friend too, when I’m not worrying about the latest health niggle.

The irony is that when my kids (my complete world) are ever unwell, I’m fairly strong in dealing the issue at hand, and managing my reaction.

I don’t assume the worst, as I do when it comes to myself but I’m proactive, get them seen by a doctor if necessary and on the road to feeling well again. Action Mama, that’s me.

Yet when it comes to myself, I flounder, I worry, I become anxious and paranoid-undoubtedly because I need to be well and healthy for those little boys of mine.

I know I’m not alone either, relatively serene mates pre-children are now serial GP groupies, anxious to remain as healthy as possible which can lead to exaggerated concerns.

And that’s not all bad I suppose. I’d rather that way than negligent.

The reality is we all need to be vigilant,  to check for lumps, discuss potential medical concerns, physical and emotional, and be proactive when it comes to monitoring our health.

It’s just about not letting it get out of hand.

If I’m honest, I’m not sure how to become more chilled about health. I just know I have to try.

I don’t want my kids worrying as I do.

I know they look at me to remain as composed as possible, whatever the situation.

I just want to find a bit more balance.

I need to stop photographing rashes and emailing my doctor mates, don’t I?!

Help.

Do you ever feel the same?!

Vicki writes parenting and lifestyle blog Honest Mum and is an award winning filmmaker.

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Vicki writes critically acclaimed parenting and lifestyle blog Honest Mum, and style blog Mummy's Got Style. Vicki is a mum of two and also a multi-award winning TV and Film Screenwriter and Director.

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