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Severe health anxiety
Hi ,
I had anal abscess two times last year and don't have any drainage or reabscess since a year, doctors said there is no fistula track or anything.but I am not able to get over it.i keep thinking what if I reabscess what if the track silently progress into other organs,will turn to rectovaginal with time.I am not able to overcome this in my mind.please help.
Answers (23)
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Do the following,
1. MRI scan of abdomen and pelvis. This is the best way to reassure yourself
All the best.
www.jgsr-health-education.in
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Hey dnt worry. We can discuss and do counselling. Kindly consult with me on 94 two six eight six 78 nine six.
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May be
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Yes get it examined by a surgeon. for tension free life.
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First of all take a deep breadth and don’t worry the reoccurrence can be easily reduced by having high fiber diet and proper anal hygiene
To know more on how to manage anxiety please consult
Next Steps
Consult
Health Tips
Practice good hygiene and high fiber diet reduce weight if overweight
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Nothing to worry, right now your condition appears to be normal.
Due to overthinking and anxiety..you are worrying too much,your doctor has already told there is no fistula track or anything.
Should worry only if there is any discharge,pain, bleeding or any change in colour.
Next Steps
follow healthy diet, drink plenty of water,keep the area clean.
Health Tips
if anxiety persists I would recommend anti-anxiety drugs for few days.
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No worry about it as this not draining since a year also doctors told you there is no track.
Nothing will happen.
Maintain hygiene only, so that abscess not occur again.
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Hi,
Since you have had no recurrence for one full year and imaging showed no fistula tract, the likelihood of any silent spread or progression is extremely low. In the absence of symptoms like pain, swelling, discharge, or fever, there is no risk of hidden progression.
If it gives you peace of mind, you may do a yearly follow-up examination with your doctor or surgical gastroenterologist to ensure everything remains normal. Regular review is more than enough in your situation.
What you are currently experiencing sounds more like illness anxiety rather than an ongoing medical disease. Illness anxiety means the mind keeps worrying about a serious illness even when medical evaluations are normal.
Interestingly, a small amount of health anxiety can actually be helpful, it motivates us to seek medical advice and take care of our health. However, when the worry becomes excessive, repetitive, difficult to control, causes sleep disturbance, mood changes, irritability, or affects daily functioning, then it needs attention.
If the anxiety feels overwhelming, it would be wise to consult a psychiatrist first for proper assessment and support. Early management helps prevent it from worsening into more severe forms of hypochondriacal disorders, including fixed illness beliefs (hypochondriacal delusions).
At the same time, if any new physical symptoms appear, you can always consult your gastroenterologist or surgical gastro specialist to rule out recurrence.
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Consult superspecialist like psychiatrist for your anxiety.
As such it doesn't happen.
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No need to worry.
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Please consult with gynec superspecialist locally.
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From a medical standpoint:
• You had anal abscess twice last year
• No recurrence for 1 year
• Doctors confirmed no fistula tract
• No drainage, no symptoms
Medically, this is reassuring.
An anal abscess does not silently spread into other organs without symptoms.
If a fistula were present, you would have:
• Persistent discharge
• Recurrent swelling
• Pain
• Fever
A rectovaginal fistula does not develop silently over time without clear symptoms (gas or stool passing through vagina, recurrent infections).
Your current suffering is not physical — it is health anxiety related to past trauma.
After painful conditions, the brain stays in “threat monitoring mode.”
This is very common after abscesses, surgeries, or infections.
The fear feels real — but medically, your current risk appears low.
Next Steps
Step 1: Objective Reassurance
If not already done:
• MRI pelvis (if doctors suspected fistula previously)
• Clinical exam confirmation
If these were negative, that is strong evidence of safety.
⸻
Step 2: Set a Logical Rule
Tell yourself:
“If I have no pain, swelling, discharge, or fever, there is no active disease.”
No symptom = no progression.
Abscesses do not progress quietly for years.
⸻
Step 3: Address the Anxiety Loop
You are experiencing:
• Catastrophic thinking (“what if it spreads?”)
• Reassurance seeking
• Hypervigilance to body sensations
Helpful tools:
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (very effective)
• Guided anxiety management
• Limit Google searching
• Mindfulness or grounding exercises
If this is affecting daily life, sleep, or mood, it deserves proper attention.
Health Tips
✔ Recurrence risk decreases significantly after 1 year symptom-free
✔ Fistulas show symptoms — they do not grow invisibly
✔ Rectovaginal fistula has obvious signs
✔ Anxiety after medical trauma is common and treatable
✔ Your body has healed — your mind needs reassurance now
You are medically stable based on what you’ve described. However, persistent fear deserves structured support — booking an online consultation would allow a detailed risk assessment and targeted anxiety-management plan so you can finally move past this.
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Dr. Gaurav Jaiswal
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhansi
Avoid fried and spicy food
Water intake more
Do connect and consult
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Dr. V R Tindwani
Family Physician
51 yrs exp
Ahmedabad
Get fistulectomy surgery done it will cure fistula and will stop your anxiety also
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Dr. Chaithra H
General Physician
5 yrs exp
Bangalore
Surgical Gastroenterologist
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Dr. Anuj Mothsra
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhunjhunu
Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
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Dr. Ankush Bansal
General Surgeon
7 yrs exp
Faridabad
Since you’ve had no recurrence for a year and imaging showed no fistula tract, the risk of silent spread is extremely low. What you’re experiencing sounds like health anxiety rather than disease. Watch for warning signs like pain, swelling, discharge, or fever. Otherwise, reassurance is enough;
consider counseling and contact me if worry continues to affect daily life.
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Dr. Shaikh Huzaif
General Physician
20 yrs exp
Mumbai
Please consult
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Dr. Sajid Ali
General Practitioner
4 yrs exp
Kanpur
No need to worry
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Dr. Vetsa Sri Krishna Chaitanya
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rajahmundry
Need a few more details please consult for further evaluation and treatment
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Dr. Suraj Sharma
General Practitioner
4 yrs exp
Jaipur
Do consult
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Dr. Kamal Kumar
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rewari
Dear Patient,
It is understandable to feel worried after experiencing anal abscess in the past, but based on what you described, your current situation is reassuring.
You had two abscess episodes last year and no recurrence, drainage, or symptoms for one full year, and doctors have confirmed that no fistula tract is present. In such cases, the chance of a hidden tract silently progressing into other organs or forming a rectovaginal fistula is very low.
Important facts:
- Most abscesses that lead to fistula show symptoms within months (persistent discharge, swelling, pain, or recurrent infection).
- Being symptom-free for a year is a very good sign of complete healing.
- A fistula does not usually spread silently to other organs without clear symptoms.
What you are experiencing now sounds more like health anxiety (fear of recurrence) rather than an active medical problem. This is common after painful conditions.
What may help:
✔ Focus on normal daily activities and routines
✔ Stress-reduction techniques (breathing exercises, meditation)
✔ Avoid repeatedly checking the area unless symptoms appear
✔ Maintain good bowel habits (fiber, water, avoid constipation)
✔ Gentle exercise and adequate sleep
When to see a doctor:
- New swelling, pain, fever
- Persistent discharge near the anus
- Recurrent redness or tenderness
Without these symptoms, there is no indication that a problem is developing.
If anxiety continues to interfere with your peace of mind, discussing this with a healthcare professional or counselor can be very helpful.
You are most likely completely healed.
For further guidance or reassurance, you can consult me online anytime.
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