Managing health anxiety
Do you often find yourself unnecessarily worrying about your health, even when there is medical reason to be concerned. Do you frequently search online for symptoms and convince yourself of the worst diagnosis? If so, you may be experiencing health anxiety, clinically referred to as Illness Anxiety Disorder.
What is Health Anxiety
Health anxiety is a psychological condition characterised by an obsessive concern with having or developing a serious medical condition. In simple wording, it is a state when you think and spend much time worrying you are ill or sick, or going to fall sick. This is also related to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Symptoms of Illness Anxiety Disorder
According to the DSM-V, symptoms of illness anxiety disorder may include:
Preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness
Worrying that you have a serious illness when you experience minor symptoms or body sensations
Disproportionate worry about a specific medical condition, or the risk of developing a condition because it runs in your family
Experiencing a high level of anxiety about your health
Getting easily alarmed about your health status
Constantly checking your body for signs of illness or disease
Frequently searching the internet for causes or symptoms of possible illnesses
Visiting the doctor regularly for reassurance - or avoiding the doctor because you're afraid of being diagnosed with a serious illness
Finding little or no reassurance from doctor visits or negative test results
Why Does Health Anxiety Occur?
Health anxiety might occur due to the following reasons:
A family history of health issues
Past traumatic health experience
Anxiety Sensitivity
Exposure to alarming health news or medical content online
Some Treatment Options
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment option for health anxiety. CBT can help you change the way you think about your health, reduce maladaptive checking behaviors and the need for constant reassurance, and teach you skills for coping with/responding to stress and anxiety. Book an appointment now.
CBT will target the vicious cycle that accompanies health anxiety (see below).
© the National Health Service
Some medications, including anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs, might work. Get in touch with your healthcare provider to discuss your options.
Stress management techniques can also help. We offer a number of workshops that can help you reduce stress, worry, and anxiety. Click here to read an article about our workshops in The National newspaper.
Some self-help tips include:
Relaxation techniques, including progressive muscle relaxation. Click here for an excellent guided breathing exercise that is suitable for beginners.
Physical activity. Start small and work your way up.
Staying connected at home and/or work. Social support and taking part in activities can help.
