Darrick Robles Most of us are familiar with the fear of becoming seriously ill. We often search online for possible medical causes for health complaints.
However, if this behavior interferes with your everyday life, if you constantly spend a lot of time researching symptoms and illnesses online, or if you’re constantly worried about your health and can’t think of anything else, it can be a sign of health anxiety.
It is estimated that 4 to 5% of all people (perhaps even up to 12%) suffer from health anxiety. It’s important to pay attention to health changes and seek professional help when we’re worried. However, those affected by health fears often find it difficult to recognize when they actually need medical help.
What are the main signs of health anxiety?
There are many different signs of health anxiety – and everyone has different experiences. Some of the most common signs include:
- Fear of being seriously ill or becoming seriously ill
- constant concern for one’s own health
- regular checking of the body for signs of disease
- Avoidance of doctor visits and hospitals
- You have been concerned about your health for at least 6 months, with varying possible medical conditions you are concerned about.
If your worries cannot be explained by another condition, such as generalized anxiety disorder , panic disorder , or Obsessive -compulsive disorder , this can be another sign of health anxiety.
What is health anxiety?
“Health anxiety, formerly also called hypochondria, is actually a group of different disorders for which there is no single definition,” explains Dag Härdfeldt, clinical psychologist. Health anxiety is also sometimes referred to as “somatoform stress disorder” or “anxiety disorder.”
“In the case of an anxiety disorder, the worries usually revolve around a specific illness,” explains Härdfeldt. For example, someone with illness anxiety disorder washes their hands excessively to avoid contracting a viral infection such asCovid-19 .
Somatoform stress disorder usually manifests itself through behaviors such as frequent touching of the body or constant rumination about illnesses in general. “For example, those affected can have aSore Throat and constantly worry that this might be the first symptom of a serious illness, but without thinking of a specific illness,” explains Härdfeldt.
How do I know if someone has health anxiety?
“The behaviors vary from person to person, but the symptoms can be very similar,” explains Härdfeldt.
People with health anxiety usually have a strong belief that something is wrong with them. Most sufferers worry excessively about their physical health, and some worry about their mental health as well. They go on the alert at the slightest symptom. You may be struggling with beliefs about your health that are inconsistent with reality.
Instead of feeling relieved when a doctor’s finding is normal, they may wonder if there was something wrong with the test or if the doctor misinterpreted the results.
People with health anxiety may also overestimate the risks of a disease and envision the worst possible scenarios in their minds.
Another common habit of people with health anxiety is spending a lot of time reading up on various symptoms. Researchers have coined the term cyberchondria, a portmanteau of cyber and hypochondria, to describe the behavior of searching for medical information online only to become more concerned. This is also referred to as “Google’s disease”.
Has Covid-19 made health scares worse?
We do not yet fully understand how the Pandemicis affecting our collective mental health and health awareness. But it is already becoming apparent that most people are more concerned about their health.
“But not everyone who suffers from health anxiety is a permanent guest in the waiting room. Fear can also have the opposite effect. Some sufferers never go to the doctor. They see hospitals as risky places and avoid them altogether,” says Härdfeldt.
What can I do about health anxiety?
“There are many waysto train the brainto understand and better manage the thought processes underlying fear. But unfortunately it is very difficult to do this alone,” says Härdfeldt. If you suspect you are suffering from health anxiety, your best bet is to seek professional help.
If you don’t feel ready to seek support, here are some tips on how to help yourself first:
Set yourself a time limit
Try to limit the time you worry or google symptoms to 15 minutes a day. If you want to google for symptoms outside of this window, remember that this will have to wait until the next day.
Watch out for confirmation errors
When we’re looking for information about something that worries us, we’re often actively looking for the negative. Our perception is often limited. You only perceive what ultimately confirms your negative opinion. An example: You have discovered a lump in your breast. Do your research and you will find information about the devastating effects of cancer. Now consciously remember that it can also be completely different. For many people who have noticed a lump, it has eventually turned out to be a benign growth.
Challenge yourself
As you feel your body, don’t just ask yourself where it hurts, consider where everything feels normal and where you feel strong. Try to challenge the ideas you have about your health.
Is Health Anxiety Treatable?
The good news is that health anxiety is treatable and doesn’t have to interfere with your daily life. For example, you can use psychotherapy to counteract the fear. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be an effective treatment for health anxiety in both the short and long term.
In some cases, antidepressants are prescribed — but there’s no consensus on how effective they really are. If you think you might be suffering from health anxiety, talk to a doctor. They can help you find the right support or further therapy.
How can I support someone who has health anxiety?
Health anxiety is difficult to deal with when you are affected, but it can be just as difficult to observe it in a loved one. These tips can help you support someone who is experiencing these fears:
Take the fears seriously
Don’t try to downplay the person’s worries — it can make things worse. Remember that health anxiety can create irrational thought patterns.
Separate the fear from the person
We all feel frustrated at times – it’s important to realize that this doesn’t make you a bad girlfriend or boyfriend. Try to separate your feelings about the illness from those of the person who has it.
Be gentle with those affected and their feelings
Listen carefully to your counterpart. Then explain to him that the symptom he or she is obsessing over may be made worse by the fears. Emphasize that there could be other explanations as well.
When should I seek medical advice?
Talk to a doctor if
- the thought of having or getting a serious illness worries you very often,
- you are very concerned about your health
- you have the urge to constantly feel your body or other compulsive behaviors occur.
