Content Warning: Emotional Child Abuse (briefly) and various illnesses and injuries.

My partner has anxiety, though not diagnosed, a lot of it is focused on her health. She also comes from an abusive family where she was made to feel as though her genuine health problems, such as a hernia, were hallucinations and that she was crazy.

A few times I have noticed that she will begin worrying about something, and then later that day or the next day, will complain about said problem.

Most recently, she went for a run on Sunday morning, first time in a while. On the day, she said she had to stop the program of eight 1 minute runs a little early because she forgot to take her asthma pump before running. Later that evening she said she had a slight ache in her legs, and that was it. Last night she mentioned an event about 2 months ago where she had twisted her ankle and it was very painful. She was talking about how that pain might be caused by muscle problems, weak bones, some type of cancer. Then today, around midday, she tells me she is getting that same pain in her ankle though only the beginning stages so its not that bad yet. She hadn't mentioned feeling that at any time prior to midday Wednesday, since running Sunday morning. Ive done a fair amount of running in my life, and Ive never had a pain take that long to develop after a run.

That isnt to say I think she is making it up. Not at all. I'm just worried it could be caused be the anxiety somehow. Could worrying about it make her feel the pain? Could it be a mild twinge that she perceives as much worse? Could it be that by worrying, she unconsciously altered her gait to ease off the ankle, but in doing so has caused pain in the ankle? At the same time, it could very well be a physical problem causing the pain. Whether from running or something else. 

I don't know what to do. If it is caused by the anxiety, would going along with it be enabling the anxiety? (Which my research says is bad). But if it is a physical problem, questioning whether it is anxiety related brings up a lot of stress from the abuse from her parents, and also doesnt help fix the problem.

I hope I don't sound ignorant. I am learning what I can but I am still somewhat new to all this and I want to be the best partner I can be for her. Right now i just dont know how.