Health Anxiety: What it is & How to Overcome it
Anxiety comes in many different forms. It’s the number one mental health condition in the world, so it only makes sense that not everyone experiences it the same way. You’ve probably heard of things like social anxiety, but there are “smaller” categories that impact a wide number of people each day—including health anxiety. Health anxiety is also often referred to as hypochondria. It’s the fear and misinterpretation of normal bodily functions as something medically harmful or dangerous.
Unfortunately, health anxiety can end up doing more harm than good. It’s not about taking precautions to make sure you’re actually healthy. Rather, it quickly becomes an obsession that makes you scared of almost everything your body does. Let’s take a closer look at some signs of health anxiety and how you can take control and overcome it.
What Are the Symptoms of Health Anxiety?
It’s not uncommon to occasionally worry about an ache or pain or something that might not be “obviously” normal to you. But most people forget about those things in a matter of minutes. Those worries don’t usually go away when someone has health anxiety. Instead, they grow and become something more serious. You might have trouble thinking about anything else but the “ailment” you’re facing.
Aside from feeling consumed with worry about your health, some of the common symptoms of health anxiety include:
Frequently “examining” your body for signs of ailments
Asking people for reassurance about your health
Not believing medical tests
Acting as though you’re ill
Constantly looking at medical information online
When you have health anxiety, it’s easy to convince yourself something is horribly wrong, even when there isn’t. Unfortunately, the more you believe you’re sick, the more anxious you’re likely to become. That kind of anxiety can take a toll on your physical and mental well-being and might even trigger some physical issues that fuel your fear even further.
What Causes Health Anxiety?
There’s not a singular cause that triggers health anxiety. It could stem from childhood trauma or an illness you experienced when you were younger. But, some people start to experience it due to extreme stress or even other anxiety or mental health disorders. Getting to the root cause of your health anxiety is one of the best ways to start truly overcoming it. But what else can you do to take control of your thoughts?
Fighting Back Against Fear
You can do plenty of things to help yourself deal with health anxiety. Again, recognizing the problem and where it came from is a great place to start. A therapist can help you with that, so you don’t have to navigate those waters on your own. Additionally, you can make simple self-care practices part of your everyday routine to manage your symptoms and your thoughts. Something like keeping a diary can make a difference. Jot down every time you ask someone for reassurance about your health or every time you look up health information. Set a goal throughout the week to try to reduce that number.
You can also try to distract yourself with other things. Many people struggle with anxiety at night because that’s when their thoughts tend to run wild. When you don’t have anything else to focus on, it’s easier for your anxious thoughts to take over. Immerse yourself in new hobbies or passions, and try to find ways to stay busy.
Finally, find ways to reduce your stress. Things like mindfulness, meditation, yoga, or exercise are all great ways to calm your mind and feel better physically and mentally. By focusing on taking care of yourself, you’ll boost your mental well-being, and you’ll be less likely to give in to the overwhelming fear that comes with health anxiety. Reach out to learn more about anxiety therapy.
