Nursing School has made me a hypochondriac

Published

So, when I started nursing school 2 years ago, it was all good. Then I took patho. Now every little ache and pain I immediately assume that it's the worst possible thing that it could be! Please tell me someone else has had this problem too!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Totally. That being said, I'm already prone to anxiety. Couple that with being a nurse, and it was bound to happen.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes!!!! I've been dying of something totally obscure and random at least 3 times lol never mind all the common things I think I have!! Lol thankfully I've survived it all so far ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes. Haha. I have to remind myself every once in a while that I was totally fine before school started 😜

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

I have actually learned to be calmer about my health. I thinks it's because I know the dangers of symptom checkers and not to randomly Google my symptoms, which always told me I had some type of horrible cancer. I know what sites to look at.

The past couple of weeks I have had difficulty swallowing. Last week I got a piece of steak stuck in my esophagus that I could not get out. Boyfriend did the Heimlich to no avail, I tried it on myself, and no luck. My boyfriend was starting to freak and I said honey, I'm breathing easily and that's what is important. My body was constantly trying to vomit. I tried to drink water and the water came right back out. Finally, after 30 minutes it magically went down. The exact same thing happened twice last night. One was a piece of potato!! The Internet had all kinds of craziness. I kept looking and got on to a trusted medical site which mentioned acid reflux. I've had it before and I had actually been feeling it the past week, just trying to get through without meds. I'm trying some Prilosec until my physical at the end of the month.

ive just learned throughout nursing school it's usually not as bad as it seems. And what symptoms need immediate checking out over ones that can wait a day or two. But I have friends just like you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neonatology.

You are not alone,

it goes away after you graduate :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It is a real condition called "medical student's disease," doubtless because physicians get to name new diagnoses. They all get it. I think they catch it in lectures.

Fortunately, I caught the "We can fix that" syndrome in nursing school. It's benign and confers immunity to hypochondria in all its forms. :)

Be well!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hahaha....Be assured that you are not alone. I've convinced myself that I am seriously ill several times. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion