Are Persistent Headaches Suggestive Of Brain Tumor?

Posted on Fri, 21 Oct 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 21 Oct 2016 Answered on

Sun, 13 Nov 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : i have always suffered from anxiety. now for some reason I think I have a terminal illness. one day I had a headache and then I started looking up what it could be and something popped up as a brain tumor. ever since then I have been obsessed w looking up my symptoms on the internet. now I have begun to feel tightness on my left temple and tightness in my jaw and ear. do you think this is just a product of my anxiety?

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.

Yes, everything you describe are somatic preoccupations and somatic symptoms of anxiety. This is consistent with a specific form of anxiety called hypochondriasis. If you need reassurance, you can visit a doctor for a physical exam to rule out anything wrong. But treatment of anxiety will help you most -- I recommend seeking out a therapist for regular supportive psychotherapy.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (57 minutes later)

Okay I thought that it was just a sign of anxiety since I only got the symptoms after I looked up what they were supposed to be on the internet. I keep up a busy schedule and get stressed easily. I manage a 18 credit hour school schedule, have 2 jobs one in which I just started, and keeping up with friends and family. I just wanted to make sure that pain in the left temple area and tingliness by the ear and jaw on that same side is a normal symptom of anxiety? I also will having racing, worrisome thoughts throughout the day and will sometimes even get tingly in my legs if I think about it hard enough. And is it possible for me to analyze my anxiety to the extent I start to feel the symptoms in real life when I wouldn't have felt them otherwise? My biggest fear is having a terminal illness and I believe I make it worse by looking up symptoms online. I just wanted to make sure what I was experiencing is normal and something I should not worry about.

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
Yes, as I said, all the symptoms you describe are caused by anxiety. By focusing on specific symptoms you can create and amplify them. I recommend seeking treatment for anxiety by means of therapy with a psychotherapist.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (12 hours later)

So you do not think that this is a more serious illness to be seen by a doctor even though all the pain is just on one side and it's all just in my head?

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
Correct, I do not think this is a serious illness. This is anxiety.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T