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Are you or someone you know constantly worrying about health and thinking they have various diseases? You may be suffering from health anxiety, formerly known as hypochondria. We will explain what it is and how you can get help.
What is health anxiety?
Health anxiety, often referred to as hypochondria, is a psychiatric diagnosis that is characterized by excessive worry about having or developing a serious illness. People with health anxiety are often extremely preoccupied with their physical health and may interpret normal bodily sensations as signs of serious health problems.
Usually, individuals with health anxiety will Google their symptoms, seek medical attention frequently and ask those around them repeatedly about their sensations. It’s a condition that can be distressing but can be overcome.
In this article, we will explain health anxiety and answer common questions. Read more below.
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Is health anxiety a diagnosis?
Health anxiety is a diagnosis in psychiatry, but in previous editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the term “hypochondria” was used to describe this condition. In the latest edition, DSM-5, the term has been replaced by health anxiety syndrome.
Symptoms of health anxiety
Health anxiety is characterized by excessive worry about having or developing a serious illness. Individuals with health anxiety may experience common bodily sensations as signs of serious health problems and often spend a lot of time and money worrying about their health. This worry often persists despite medical examinations and assurances that there is no serious medical basis for the concern. The main features of health anxiety are:
- Excessive health worry: A persistent fear or belief that one has a serious illness, based on the interpretation of bodily symptoms (even when medical examinations show no serious medical conditions).
- Over-attention to bodily functions: Constant attention to and interpretation of bodily sensations, pain or discomfort, often leading to misinterpretation of their meaning.
- Hospital visits and health checks: Frequent visits to the doctor and the need for repeated medical examinations may lead to temporary relief but do not improve anxiety in the long term.
- Avoidance behaviours: Avoiding certain places, activities or things that they believe could lead to illness or injury.
- Emotional stress: Health anxiety can lead to significant anxiety, stress and impact on daily functions.
Health anxiety is a problem that can cause unnecessary stress. If you recognize these symptoms, you should seek treatment to improve your quality of life.
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Treatment of health anxiety
Treatment for health anxiety often involves a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Here are some of the most common treatment methods:
- Psychotherapy: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective forms of therapy. It helps people understand their anxiety and how it develops. CBT can also help individuals identify and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to anxiety and develop other approaches that lead to improved well-being.
- Medication: Drug treatment may include the use of antidepressants. These drugs can help regulate mood and reduce anxiety symptoms.
It is important to remember that treatment for health anxiety is individual, and what works best for you may not work for someone else. The treatment time can vary depending on the severity, with milder symptoms requiring shorter treatment than more severe symptoms. At the beginning of treatment, an assessment is always done to determine the best treatment method.
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The first step in seeking help
If you recognize that you have symptoms of health anxiety, you should seek help. Treatment can improve your quality of life. We offer access to psychologists and therapists ready to support you through your journey. At Lavendla we make the hard things easier.
12 FAQs about Health Anxiety
What is health anxiety?
Health anxiety is a psychiatric diagnosis characterized by an excessive worry about having or developing a serious illness. People with health anxiety are often extremely preoccupied with their physical health and may interpret normal bodily sensations as signs of serious health problems.
Are health anxiety and hypochondria the same thing?
Health anxiety used to be called hypochondria. The name was changed in the latest version of the DSM-5 diagnostic manual.
What are the symptoms of health anxiety?
Health anxiety is the exaggerated concern about having or developing a serious illness. People with health anxiety may experience common bodily sensations as signs of serious health problems and often spend a lot of time and money worrying about their health. This concern persists despite medical examinations and assurances that there is no serious medical basis for this concern.
Is health anxiety death anxiety?
All anxiety problems involve a fear of death in various ways, with health anxiety this could be a fear of dying from a disease even though there is no evidence of this.
Can health anxiety lead to depression?
Health anxiety can contribute to the development of depressive symptoms if it goes untreated. People may start to avoid things because of their anxiety which could aggravate depression.
How is health anxiety different from regular anxiety?
Health anxiety focuses specifically on health issues, such as worrying about having a serious illness, whereas general anxiety is often about more immediate concerns such as work or relationships. If you worry about several things, you may have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
What should I do if I have a relative or close friend who suffers from anxiety?
Having a loved one with health anxiety can be difficult. They may talk about their symptoms often and frequently seek medical treatment. You should encourage a person with health anxiety to seek help. If you find it difficult to cope with a person with health anxiety, you can also talk to a psychologist or qualified therapist.
Can you experience health anxiety without being aware of it?
Yes, it is possible to have health anxiety without knowing it.
Can health anxiety be treated?
It can be treated; you can go to therapy, and medication is available.
What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based therapy that helps individuals identify and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to anxiety.
Can physical activity help reduce health anxiety?
Yes, physical activity can help reduce anxiety, but it will still require treatment. Regular exercise promotes psychological well-being by releasing endorphins, improving sleep quality and reducing stress.
Where can I go if I need help?
Through our site, you can book an initial session with a therapist or psychologist to discuss your problems and start planning treatment. We will help you make the hard things easier.
Step-by-step treatment for health anxiety
Here is a summary of how health anxiety could be treated using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). There is help available, and this gives you an idea of the steps you may take in therapy:
- Assessment of symptoms: The first step is for a psychologist or qualified therapist to help you evaluate your situation and history. You may also be asked to complete assessment forms.
- Psychoeducation and objectives: You will learn about your anxiety and how it affects you both physically and psychologically. They work on analyzing situations and setting goals for treatment.
- Tools for changing behaviours and patterns: You will work on identifying and changing patterns of thinking that are linked to your health anxiety. Together with your therapist, you can work with different tools to overcome health anxiety. You will be given homework to practice between sessions.
- Follow-up and evaluation progress: Your psychologist will support you throughout the process. At the end of treatment, you will receive a plan to continue practising and to maintain your progress over time.
Feel free to book a first session with one of our psychologists or therapists to see how we can help you. We make the hard things easier.
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