Physical Symptoms of Health Anxiety
Health anxiety can be brought on by a variety of causes that can trigger it, like witnessing a loved one become sick or die, or working an extremely stressful job in healthcare. People with this condition experience a churning stomach and sweating excessively.
They also misinterpret normal bodily sensations such as a cough or a headache as a sign of a serious illness. They search for hours on the internet for answers and seek out reassurance from medical professionals.
1. Headache
As everyone is concerned about their health at some point, the unfounded anxiety of illness anxiety disorder (formerly known as hypochondria) can disrupt your life. It is possible to spend hours researching your symptoms online and believe that even the most benign sensations are signs of something serious. For example a headache can make you believe that you've got brain tumor, but it is actually just a hangover.
Patients suffering from anxiety disorders are hyper-vigilant and are frightened of any changes in their bodies, despite being assured by medical professionals and having negative test results. Anxiety from illness can also lead to other issues, such as being unable to participate in social or work activities and having difficulty maintaining close relationships.
If you notice that your anxiety interferes with your life, it's important to get help. Psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy is the most commonly used method of treatment for anxiety-related health issues. Sometimes, your doctor will prescribe medication to treat anxiety. Consult your GP for an assessment of your mental health or contact The Priory to get a world-class assessment. Our experts are able to diagnose anxiety disorders and provide treatment. Our Therapists work with you to help you understand your anxiety, and teach you coping techniques.
2. Muscle twitches
Another physical symptom of anxiety-related health issues is muscle that twitches. These involuntary muscle spasms can occur anywhere in the body and are caused by constant stress and nervous system stimulation. When someone has significant health anxiety, they perceive any unusual or uncomfortable sensations as signs of serious disease. They may be obsessed with their symptoms, 'Google' them, or seek a lot of comfort from family and friends. They may be hesitant to interact with certain people or places for fear of getting sick.
The twitching can get worse as anxiety increases. The reason for this is that the twitching is caused by the same fight-or-flight response that is activated when they experience anxiety.
While it's important to ignore your twitching, you must also talk to an expert in mental health about it. Getting counseling or cognitive-behavioral therapy can help you learn to manage your anxiety so the twitching stops.
3. Sweating
Sweating is among the most common physical symptoms associated with anxiety-related health. This symptom, whether it's a sheen on your forehead or patches on your arms, can be quite troubling. It often leads to additional health concerns.
People suffering from illness anxiety disorder (also called hypochondriasis) tend to misinterpret minor symptoms as a sign of serious illnesses. They can spend hours researching symptoms and seek excessive reassurances from medical professionals or friends. In some cases they will avoid certain activities or even miss important social opportunities due to their fear.
When people are anxious their brains trigger the autonomic nerve system (ANS) which is also known as the "fight-or-flight" response. This triggers a surge of stress hormones that can trigger the body's response in a variety of ways, such as sweating.
Instead of focusing on anxiety, try shifting your thoughts to something more positive or calm. This can help you realize that your body's reactions the majority of the time are not a warning sign. This can help you realize that you're more worried about the possibility of a serious illness than a twisted or strep ankle.
4. Dizziness
Lightheadedness, dizziness and feeling faint are typical symptoms that are associated with health anxiety. The anxiety and dizziness can be a vicious circle where they reinforce each other and can lead to more frequent and severe symptoms.
Illness anxiety disorder (previously called hypochondria) is characterized by excessive and constant worry about deadly or rare illnesses. This condition can be crippling, preventing people to live a full and happy life.
When someone with illness-related anxiety disorder feels a new sensation, they often assume that it is a sign that an illness of serious nature is present. They might then go on the internet for information that confirms the fears they have, which can cause more anxiety. They can even be convinced that their doctors aren't treating them with respect, which further fuels their anxiety.
If not treated the symptoms of illness anxiety disorder can take a toll on relationships (since friends and family tire of hearing about your plethora of possible ailments each time you meet) and work (because you're constantly not able to work on important projects because of endless doctor visits). If you think you might have this condition, talk to your doctor about the best treatment options. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for this psychiatric disorder. It assists in identifying negative thinking patterns that could create anxiety or increase the risk of dizziness and then replace them with healthier ones.
5. Swelling
A common symptom of anxiety and health concerns is swollen lymph nodes. anxiety disorder physical symptoms is because of the stress that is caused by the fear of an illness that is serious. The body responds to stress in many ways, including increasing hormone production, which causes blood vessels and lymphatic nodes to expand.
While it is normal to worry about one's health from time-to-time especially during this pandemic serious health anxiety, it can have devastating effects on the person who is affected, their family, and even their job. Encourage someone you love who suffers from anxiety-related illness disorder (formerly called hypochondria) to seek mental health advice to learn how to manage their symptoms.
Illness anxiety disorder, sometimes known as hypochondria or health anxiety, is a particular type of generalized anxiety disorder. It is characterized as a heightened belief that one has or is in danger of developing a serious illness as well as extreme anxiety and fear about health and wellbeing. It is usually associated with avoidance behavior, body checking, or reassurance seeking behavior. It can also be caused by misinterpreting body sensations, such as the sensation of tingling or a minor color change in your bowel movements as signs of a fatal disease.
6. Heart palpitations
Heart palpitations could be a sign of health anxiety. It could feel like your heart is pounding or beating out of tune. Others report a fluttering, or a vibrating sensation in the chest. If frequent heartbeats hinder your daily activities, your doctor may suggest an ECG to identify medical conditions that might cause them. If they are caused by anxiety, treatment using psychotherapy or medication (talk therapy) may aid.
Health anxiety sufferers misinterpret normal or benign physical symptoms as a sign of something serious. They may also be more likely to suffer from panic attacks, which is a severe feeling of anxiety, which can include chest pain, difficulty breathing, chills and sweating, as well as the feeling that you are losing consciousness.
It's normal to worry about your health, especially during a pandemic. When a concern becomes an obsessive behavior, it can lead to an anxiety disorder known as health anxiety or hypochondria. Fortunately, it is possible to be treated for this condition, which is much more frequent than m
