Anyone else a Hypochondriac? (sleep, cancer, pain, therapy)

[waviking24]

I have always had mild hypochondria, but it seemed to have disappeared for several months up until yesterday and now it is back with a vengeance and I don't know if I can take it. The problem is that I am worrying over the dumbest thing and logically I know that, but I just cannot stop obsessing. Yesterday a very friendly and normal acting dog wandered into my yard and I went out to see what he was up to and stupidly stuck my hand out to let him lick it, which he did, tail wagging and all. Well about ten minutes later I went in to wash my hands and that's when I realized I had a small cut on my other hand. Not even the hand he licked! But lucky me, my brain kicked into anxiety mode and all I can think about is what if this dog had rabies, but wasn't showing signs and somehow the dried saliva that I washed off my one hand and into the cut on my other hand and infected me with rabies. I didn't sleep at all last night and have been online reading about rabies for like 24 hours now. What is wrong with me??? Someone please help

[Nickchick]

I don't know if that's something you can really fix. You just kinda have to deal with it. Hypochondriac is pretty much my identity. We're not supposed to Google with our mentality but I know it's hard because you just want answers. You hope for proof that you're not dying/sick but all you come up with is cancer heart attack..what have you.
You can always see a therapist. Personally I just deal with it because therapy is not something for me most of the time. I If therapy is not an option for you either, you just have to really listen to your body and somehow put those other thoughts aside. One example is how I have GERD. Sometimes I think I was dying with an attack but if I really pay attention, it would be obvious that it is just an attack as I have stomach pains with the chest pain. Ask a health community or doctor if you still need answers or you can join an anxiety board/chat because like I said Google is never going to be our friend.

[waviking24]

Surprised so few of us suffer from this illness. Kind of sad really.

[convextech]

Most people who have it, don't know they have it. Even when people tell them they might be, they deny it.