Health anxiety is a condition that causes healthy people to worry about getting sick. Anxiety disorders are characterized by mild symptoms, such as a scratchy throat, even if they have no symptoms.
People who suffer from health anxiety often worry about serious illnesses such as cancer. They worry much less about strep throat, a sprained ankle or a cold. Worry that they will develop a serious illness interferes with their daily lives. This can cause them to seek unnecessary tests, waste time in the doctor's office, and spend days in distress. However, people with health anxiety may not only be concerned about their own health, but some may also be overly concerned about their children's health.
Health anxiety disorder is a relatively common disorder, known to affect approximately 4 to 5 percent of people. But experts put it closer to 12%. Unlike other anxiety disorders, which are more common in women, health anxiety appears to affect men and women equally.
Have you been worried about your health? You may be dealing with "health anxiety"
Not all health concerns indicate health anxiety
Taking care of your health is not the same as health anxiety. It's normal to worry about your health from time to time. You may be wondering whether your stomach pain indicates a more serious condition. If you have had a serious medical condition in the past, you may be concerned about your upcoming imaging scan.
People with health anxiety often misinterpret normal or benign physical symptoms and attribute them to more serious symptoms. For example, if they compress their arms while sleeping instead of rolling over and shaking off the numbness, they may worry they're going to have a stroke. Symptoms caused by anxiety can exacerbate existing anxieties about one's health.
Have you been worried about your health? You may be dealing with "health anxiety"
Is it health anxiety?
So, how do you know if you're sick, or just worried about getting sick? Here are some signs of health anxiety:
You have no symptoms but are still concerned that you are sick.
It doesn't ease your nerves when your doctor assures you that you are disease-free or that tests show you are healthy.
You may find yourself constantly searching for health information online.
If you read news reports about a disease, you may start to worry that you have it.
Your health concerns can affect your life, family, work, or hobbies and activities.
Have you been worried about your health? You may be dealing with "health anxiety"
Can testing relieve tension?
Although testing may seem like a quick, easy way to alleviate health-related worries, testing rarely provides lasting relief for people whose health anxiety has become unmanageable. While some people regularly consult their doctors and request tests for anxiety disorders, in other cases, health anxiety causes people to avoid that doctor altogether, which can lead to undiagnosed, treatable conditions.
ANXIETY
Treating Health Anxiety/How to Get Out of Anxiety Disorder?
People with health anxiety often also suffer from other mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Therefore, treatment may need to address multiple issues. Treatment options include medications and psychotherapy, often in the form of talk therapy, that can help you deal with and move past your worries.
Are you always worried about your health? You may be dealing with "health anxiety"
