WHAT IS HEALTH ANXIETY? EXPERT TIPS TO DEAL WITH IT

Are you constantly worried that you may have a serious illness? Do minor health issues such as a normal cold or body cramps make you visit a doctor? If you can relate to all these scenarios, then you might be facing something called health anxiety (Illness Anxiety Disorder). Are you interested to know more about it? Then this article is for you. Read ahead.

To understand this better, we reached out to Dr Sharadhi C, Consultant Psychiatry, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore.

What is Health Anxiety? 

Let us begin by understanding what health anxiety actually is. Dr Sharadhi explains, “Health anxiety is a condition where a person constantly worries about having a serious illness even when there is little or no medical evidence. They might feel like normal body sensations such as headache, minor pain, or tiredness are signs of a major disease.” 

The expert adds, “This can lead to frequent checking of symptoms online, repeated doctor visits. On the other hand, this can also include avoiding medical help due to fear. This constant worry can affect daily life, sleep, and mental peace.” 

Tips to Deal With Health Anxiety

Dr Sharadhi shares tips to manage health anxiety: 

• First, becoming aware of these thought patterns and gently questioning whether the fear is based on facts or assumptions is important.
• Limiting excessive online searching of symptoms is important. This is because it often increases anxiety.
• Practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or simple physical activity can help calm the mind.
• Maintaining a routine with proper sleep, balanced diet, and regular exercise supports overall mental health.
• Talking to a trusted person about your worries can reduce the feeling of isolation.
• Setting boundaries on how often you check your body or seek reassurance can also help.
• If the anxiety continues or feels overwhelming, seeking support from a mental health professional is important. 

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), to treat health anxiety, firstly, medical problems you are concerned about must be ruled out after a thorough physical exam. Thereafter, you may be required to seek mental health treatment. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective treatment for any form of anxiety, including health anxiety.

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Conclusion

Health anxiety is a condition where a person constantly worries about having a serious illness even when there is little or no medical evidence. Managing health anxiety requires a mix of awareness, healthy habits, and the right support system.