What is Health Anxiety? Symptoms And Treatment

Health anxiety is a condition that can be difficult to understand.

It’s a persistent, excessive worry about having a serious illness, even when medical exams show nothing wrong. This worry can significantly impact daily life and overall well-being.

Understanding Health Anxiety

Health anxiety, also known as illness anxiety disorder, is characterized by a preoccupation with having a serious illness.

This preoccupation persists despite medical reassurance and can cause significant distress and impairment in daily functioning.

Health anxiety is not just about being worried about your health.

It’s about being so excessively worried about having a serious illness that it starts to take over your life, even when there’s no medical reason to believe that you’re sick.

Health Anxiety vs. Hypochondria

Health anxiety and hypochondria are related terms but are not exactly the same. Health anxiety, also known as illness anxiety disorder, is characterized by a preoccupation with having a serious illness. This preoccupation persists despite medical reassurance and can cause significant distress and impairment in daily functioning. On the other hand, hypochondria, also known as hypochondriasis, is an older term that was used to describe excessive worry about having a serious illness without the presence of significant physical symptoms.

The term hypochondria comes from the word “hypochondrium,” which refers to the upper abdomen region. In ancient medicine, it was believed that this area was the seat of melancholy and the source of unexplained symptoms. Over time, the term hypochondria evolved to describe excessive worry about one’s health without a basis in reality.

While both health anxiety and hypochondria involve excessive worry about health, health anxiety is a more modern term that focuses on the preoccupation with having a serious illness, whereas hypochondria historically referred to a broader range of somatic symptoms and complaints.

Recognizing the Symptoms

Recognizing the symptoms is the first step in how to deal with health anxiety. These symptoms can vary from person to person, but there are some common signs that can indicate the presence of this disorder.

Common signs of health anxiety

People with health anxiety often spend a lot of time worrying that they have a serious illness.

They may frequently check their body for signs of illness, such as lumps, tingling or pain.

Some common signs of health anxiety include:

• Constantly worrying about your health
• Frequently checking your body for signs of illness
• Seeking reassurance from others about your health
• Avoiding anything to do with serious illness, such as medical TV programs

When worry becomes severe health anxiety

Health anxiety becomes severe when it’s so distressing that it interferes with your life.

This can include avoiding activities you used to enjoy, or spending so much time on health worries that it’s hard to focus on anything else.

The Causes of Health Anxiety

The exact cause of health anxiety is not known.

However, it’s believed to be a combination of genetic, environmental and psychological factors.

Triggers and risk factors

Certain factors can trigger health anxiety or make it worse.

These can include a family history of health anxiety, a stressful event, or having a serious illness in the past.

Health Anxiety Disorder DSM-5 Criteria

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) provides criteria for diagnosing health anxiety.

It includes excessive worry about having a serious illness, despite medical reassurance, and behaviors like excessive body checks or seeking multiple doctors’ opinions.

Treatment Options for Health Anxiety

There are several treatment options available for health anxiety. These include psychological therapies, medication and self-help strategies.

A health anxiety therapist can guide you through these options and help you find the most suitable treatment.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a common treatment for health anxiety. It helps you understand how your thoughts, feelings and behaviors interact to create anxiety.

CBT can teach you how to challenge and change unhelpful thought patterns, reducing your anxiety.

Medication and other therapies

In some cases, medication may be recommended for health anxiety. This is usually when symptoms are severe or when other treatments have not been effective.

Other therapies, such as mindfulness and relaxation techniques, can also be beneficial in managing health anxiety symptoms.

Managing Health Anxiety: Self-Help Strategies

Self-help strategies can be an effective way to manage health anxiety. These strategies can be used alongside professional treatment or as a first step in managing your symptoms.

They can help you gain a better understanding of your anxiety and develop coping mechanisms to deal with it.

Lifestyle changes and coping techniques

Lifestyle changes can have a significant impact on health anxiety. Regular exercise, a balanced diet and adequate sleep can all help reduce anxiety levels.

• Regular exercise can help reduce anxiety by releasing endorphins, the body’s natural mood boosters.
• A balanced diet can help keep your body healthy and reduce anxiety.
• Adequate sleep is essential for mental health. Lack of sleep can exacerbate anxiety symptoms.

Seeking professional help

If self-help strategies are not enough, it may be time to seek professional help. A health anxiety therapist can provide you with the tools and strategies to manage your anxiety.

Health anxiety can be a challenging condition to live with, but understanding its symptoms and treatment options can make a significant difference. With the right strategies and professional help, it’s possible to manage health anxiety.

Hartgrove Behavioral Health System, in Chicago, IL, offers a wide range of behavioral health treatment options, including inpatient, outpatient and specialty programs, to deliver personalized help for adults, adolescents and children. To learn more about what kind of services we offer, check out our programs page, or call today at 773-598-8300.

Hartgrove Hospital

Hartgrove Hospital is a Modern Behavioral Health Hospital that specializes in personalized treatment for adults, adolescents and children. We pride ourselves on delivering quality care provided by our compassionate and thoughtful staff. Our mission is to restore the emotional well-being of our patients, while giving them the proper resources for their future.

Some of our programs include our inpatient and outpatient services. As well as our trauma and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP). These programs are offered with an all-encompassing psychiatric healthcare service that is both effective and efficient. Located in Chicago, IL, our facility has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

To schedule a no-cost assessment or for more information, please call 773-572-7900 .