Can fear of being pregnant create pregnancy-like symptoms?

It definitely can. It can make you feel the sore breasts and headaches and such. However spotting isn't something you imagine nor is it something that will happen because you think you are pregnant. Did you have sex unprotected about a week prior to this spotting? If so that could very well be implantation bleeding. I don't mean to freak you out I just want to fill you in on the possibilities of what could be going on. When you have sex you don't instantly become pregnant. There is a period of 4-7 days in which anytime during that period implantation of the fertilized egg into the uterine wall happens and this is when you officially become pregnant. This for some women causes spotting. Generally only happens for a dad and is barely enough to need a panty liner. As far as cramps many women experience cramping in early pregnancy. I experienced cramping before I even knew I was pregnant. I took it as well i'm starting to cramp so my period must be coming. A week later I had no period and was still cramping. Turns out that cramping around this time is due to your uterus beginning to stretch out for a baby. These cramps feel just like period ones. At this point all you can really do is wait and see if you get your period if you don't then get a home test. Test with your first morning urine for best accuracy. Best of luck I hope things work out for you!.