Hi I’m a 18 years old male. Recently I saw a doctor as I felt pain peeing. The pain was not really bad, but it is on my mind for so long. The doctor told me that it might be infection and case close right. I just can’t stop but thinking that I’m getting something even worst. This is when nightmare begin, I so scared I can’t sleep I had to kept going to the washroom either because of my anxiety or the infection. I couldn’t take it so I did a blood test and a urine test. And I have to wait 4 days for that report. Today I see a small weird bump on that area, and it sends me to a frenzy. I’m so scared RIGJT now, I might actually get something serious. I can’t calm down. I already can’t tell what is from my anxiety and what is from my actual illness. I need to sleep it’s been 4 sleepless nights of me worrying about it. I have a lot of school work stacked up as well. I need help
I’m really glad you reached out. What you’re describing sounds terrifying to sit with, especially when you’re already exhausted and waiting for test results. Anyone in your position would be spiralling, four nights without sleep alone is enough to make anxiety feel completely out of control.
I want to say this first: you’ve already done the right things. You saw a doctor. You did the urine and blood tests. You didn’t ignore it. Right now, the hardest part isn’t the waiting, it’s the anxiety filling in the gaps while you wait.
When anxiety gets this intense, it can absolutely cause:
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the constant urge to pee
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hyper-focus on sensations
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noticing bumps, textures, or changes that were always there but suddenly feel alarming
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racing thoughts and worst-case scenarios
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inability to sleep
That doesn’t mean your symptoms aren’t real, it means anxiety is amplifying everything to emergency level. When you say you “can’t tell what’s anxiety and what’s illness,” that’s a very common experience during health anxiety.
A few grounding things you can try right now, just to get through tonight:
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Put one hand on your chest, one on your stomach. Breathe in slowly for 4 seconds, out for 6 seconds. Do this for a few minutes. Longer exhales help tell your nervous system you’re not in immediate danger.
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Remind yourself: “I’ve been checked. Tests are done. I am waiting, not dying.” Even if you don’t fully believe it, repetition helps.
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If you can, stop checking or looking at the area for tonight. Rechecking feeds the panic loop.
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Even lying down with your eyes closed and resting counts. You don’t need “perfect sleep”, your body just needs some stillness.
About the bump: many infections, irritation, ingrown hairs, or even normal anatomy can look scary when you’re already panicking. Serious conditions don’t usually appear suddenly overnight like that, anxiety just makes everything feel urgent and catastrophic.
If at any point you develop severe pain, fever, inability to pee, bleeding, or rapidly worsening symptoms, then yes, please do seek urgent care. Otherwise, waiting for the test results is medically reasonable, even though emotionally it feels unbearable.
You’re not weak for reacting like this. You’re scared, sleep-deprived, and dealing with uncertainty, that’s a really brutal combo. If you can, consider telling someone you trust tonight (family, friend) that you’re really anxious and haven’t slept. You don’t have to explain everything.
For now, focus on getting through the next hour, not the next four days. You’re not alone in this moment, and this level of panic can come down. We are here with you, take a slow breath with us first.
Dear @user723904
Thank you for reaching out. Reading your post, it is understandable how scary the incident has been for you. Not knowing the cause of the infection, couple with the doctor diagnosing it broadly and generally as an infection without sharing more information is indeed scary and will be anxiety inducing for anyone.
Is there a trusted family member or parent you can speak urgently with on this health situation ? I think it will be hard to manage this all alone, so please reach out for support soon. If possible get a trusted adult family member to accompany you to the next doctor’s visit when you get the results of your blood and urine tests. I believe the family member can help you convey your specific concerns to the doctor, seek clarification from the doctor and provide you much needed emotional support. It may help in assuring you that your health issue is receiving the necessary care and attention needed to get well soon.
@here2hear has kindly shared some methods to reduce the anxiety. Do also practise these good tips.
Please know that you have already proactively done what you can to find answers and get some relief. Well done on that. Within the next few days, I am confident you will get more clarity.
It’s understandable that this health matter has weighed heavily on you and taken attention away from your school work. You have also been sleep deprived.
To get back on track at school, I recommend to start small, setting aside 20 minutes of study at a time to work on specific topics/worksheets. Slowly, you will develop momentum. Where needed, consult school teachers and classmates to clarify doubts and catch up.
Similar for sleep, start off by practising grounding techniques. Slowly, as the nervous system calms down, it would help you to fall asleep. Practise good sleep hygiene ( no screens, bedtime routine which had worked for you in the past, etc).
Reach out here for support whenever needed, too. 