Health Anxiety
Health anxiety is a condition characterized by excessive worry or preoccupation with having a serious medical condition.
Individuals with health anxiety often experience persistent fears and concerns about their health, despite having little or no medical evidence to support the presence of a significant illness.
They may misinterpret bodily sensations or minor symptoms as signs of a severe illness, leading to significant distress and impairment in daily functioning.
Engagement in therapy with a psychologist can help you with these symptoms of health anxiety.
Symptoms
Some symptoms of health anxiety can include:
Excessive worry about having a serious illness, often jumping to the worst possible conclusions.
Frequently checking the body for signs of illness or searching for medical information online.
Regularly seeking reassurance from healthcare professionals, family, or friends about one's health concerns.
Persistently monitoring the body for any physical changes or symptoms.
Frequently visiting doctors or specialists for multiple medical tests or consultations.
Difficulty accepting medical reassurance, leading to persistent doubts and ongoing worries about health.
Experiencing significant distress, anxiety, and impaired functioning due to health concerns.
It is important to differentiate health anxiety from genuine medical conditions. While individuals with health anxiety may experience distressing symptoms, medical evaluations often reveal no significant underlying physical illness.
Treatment
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps individuals identify and challenge distorted thoughts, beliefs, and cognitive patterns related to health anxiety. It aims to replace irrational health-related fears with more realistic and adaptive thinking patterns.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): ERP involves gradually exposing individuals to situations or triggers that evoke health anxiety and preventing them from engaging in reassurance-seeking behaviors or excessive medical checking. This helps individuals learn to tolerate uncertainty and reduce avoidance behaviors.
Seeking support from psychologists who specialize in anxiety disorders and utilizing appropriate treatment strategies can significantly help individuals with health anxiety regain control, reduce distress, and improve their overall well-being.
If you would like more information, or to book an initial appointment, please contact the practice.