Physical Symptoms of Health AnxietyHealth anxiety can be caused by a variety of causes, such as witnessing a loved one become sick or die or having an uneasy job in the healthcare sector. People with this condition often have a churning abdominal and excessive sweating.
They also mistakenly interpret bodily sensations such as headache or a cough as signs of a serious illness. They search for hours on the internet for answers and seek advice from medical professionals.
1. Headache
Everyone is concerned about their health, but the irrational fears associated with illness anxiety disorder can cause a lot of stress in your life. It is possible to spend hours analyzing your symptoms on the internet and believe that even the most innocuous sensations are a sign of something more serious. A headache, for example,
Physical Symptoms Of Health Anxiety could lead you to believe you have a tumor on your brain, but it's actually an alcohol-related hangover.
The sufferers of illness anxiety are extremely vigilant about any changes in their bodies and can't control their
post anxiety attack symptoms, despite repeated assurances from medical professionals and negative test results. Illness anxiety can also cause other issues, such as avoidance of social and work activities and struggling to maintain close relationships.
If you notice that your anxiety interferes with your life, it's important to get assistance. Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy is the most common form of treatment for anxiety-related health issues. Sometimes, your doctor will prescribe medication to treat anxiety. Contact your GP for an assessment of your mental health or contact The Priory to receive a top-quality assessment. Our experts can diagnose anxiety disorders and provide treatment. Our therapists work with you to help you understand your anxiety and teach you strategies to cope.
2. Muscle twitches
Muscle twitching is a different physical sign that is associated with health anxiety. These muscle spasms that are involuntary can happen anywhere in the body and are caused by continuous stress and nervous system stimulation. When people are suffering from severe anxiety about their health, they could be prone to interpret any sensations or discomfort as signs of a serious disease. They may be obsessed with their symptoms, "Google" them or seek out constant reassurance from family and friends. They may also avoid places and people because they fear getting an illness.
In certain instances the twitching can become more severe as anxiety grows. This is because the twitching is caused by the same fight or flight response that is activated when they experience anxiety.
While it's important to try and not to be distracted by your twitching, you should also speak to a mental health professional about it. Counseling or cognitive-behavioral therapies can help you learn to manage your anxiety so that the twitching stops.
3. Sweating
Sweating is one of the most common physical signs that are associated with health anxiety. It doesn't matter if it's a glimmer of sweat on your forehead or patches of sweat under the arms, this sign can be quite distressing and often leads to further worries about your health.
People with illness anxiety disorder (also known as hypochondriasis) are prone to misinterpret small symptoms as signs of serious illnesses. They can be prone to spending hours searching for symptoms and seek excessive reassurances from friends or medical professionals. In some instances the fear of being diagnosed can cause them to avoid certain activities and even miss out on important social occasions.
When people feel anxious, their brain triggers the autonomic nervous system (ANS) which is commonly referred to as the "fight or flight" response. This can cause a surge in stress hormones, which can cause the body's response to be sweating.
Instead of being focused on your anxiety, try shifting your thoughts to something else that creates positive or peaceful feelings. This can help you realize that your body's reactions the majority of the time aren't an indication of danger. This can help you remember that you're more worried about the possibility of contracting a severe disease than strep or a bent ankle.
4. Dizziness
Dizziness, lightheadedness, and feeling faint are common
physiological symptoms of anxiety associated with anxiety-related health issues. They are also frequently part of a vicious cycle in which anxiety and dizziness reinforce each other, resulting in more frequent and severe episodes.
Illness anxiety disorder, previously known as hypochondria, is characterized by constant and excessive anxiety about developing rare or deadly diseases. The condition can be debilitating, preventing people from enjoying a full and fulfilling life.
When someone with illness anxiety suffers from a physical sensation, they tend to believe it's a sign of a serious illness. They can then look on the internet for information that confirms the fears they are experiencing, which can cause more anxiety. They may even believe their doctors don't take seriously their concerns, which could further fuel their fears.
Untreated, the symptoms can affect your relationships (since family and friends tire of hearing you talk about all your possible ailments every time you go out) and at work (because you miss out on important tasks due to going to the doctor). If you think you be suffering from this disorder, speak to your doctor about treatment options. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for this mental disorder. It helps to identify negative thinking patterns that could cause anxiety or increase the risk of dizziness, and then replace them with healthier ones.
5. Swelling
A typical symptom of
general anxiety symptoms-related health issues is swelling lymph nodes. This is the result of the stress-increase that comes from the fear or anxiety about having a serious illness. The body may react to stress in a variety ways, including by increasing production of hormones which cause blood vessels and lymph nodes to grow.
It is normal to worry occasionally about your health, especially in the midst of this epidemic. However, extreme health anxiety can have devastating effects on the person or their family members, and can even affect their professional career. Encourage someone you love who is suffering from illness-related anxiety disorder (formerly called hypochondria) to seek out mental health advice to learn how to manage their symptoms.
Illness anxiety disorder, also known as hypochondria or health anxiety, is a specific kind of generalized anxiety disorder. It is defined as a constant belief that one has or is at risk of developing a serious illness as well as extreme anxiety and fear about health and wellbeing. This is often coupled with avoiding behavior such as body checking or reassurance-seeking behavior. It could be caused by misinterpreting normal bodily sensations such as an itch or a small color change in your bowel movements as indications of a fatal disease.
6. Heart palpitations
Heart palpitations are a sign of health anxiety. You may feel as if your heart is sputtering or beating out-of-rhythm. Some people report a fluttering, flapping feeling in the chest. If you experience frequent heart palpitations or disrupt your daily activities, your healthcare provider may suggest an ECG to rule out medical conditions that could be causing them. If they are due to anxiety, medication or psychotherapy could help.
People with health anxiety misinterpret normal or normal physical symptoms as a sign of something serious. They may also be prone to panic attacks which are intense episodes of anxiety that can include chest pain, trouble breathing chills, sweating, and the sensation of losing consciousness.
It's normal to worry about your health, especially during a time of pandemic.