Physical Symptoms of Health Anxiety
Health anxiety can be brought on by a variety of factors, such as watching a loved one get sick or die, or working an extremely stressful job in healthcare. Most people suffering from this condition have a fast-moving stomach and sweating excessively.
They also misinterpret normal bodily sensations like headaches or a cough as signs of an illness that is serious. They search for hours on the internet for answers and seek out reassurance from medical experts.
1. Headache
Everyone is concerned about their health at some point, the unfounded anxiety that is associated with illness anxiety disorder (formerly known as hypochondria) can be disruptive to your daily life. It is possible to spend hours researching your symptoms online and believe that even the most benign sensations could be a sign of something serious. A headache, for instance can lead you to believe you have a tumor on your brain, but it’s actually a hangover.
The sufferers of illness anxiety are extremely vigilant about any changes in their bodies and can’t control their anxiety, despite constant assurances from medical professionals and negative test results. Illness anxiety may also lead to other issues, like avoiding social and work activities, and having trouble maintaining close relationships.
It is important to seek assistance if your anxiety affects your life. Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioural therapy is the most commonly used treatment for anxiety. Sometimes, your doctor will also prescribe medication for anxiety. Contact your GP for a mental health assessment or contact The Priory to receive a top-quality assessment. Our experts are able to diagnose anxiety disorders and provide treatment. Our therapists work with you to assist you in understanding your anxiety, and teach you strategies for coping.
2. Muscle is twitching
Another physical sign of anxiety-related health issues is muscle shaking. The involuntary spasms that occur in muscles can manifest everywhere on the body, resulting of constant stress and nerve stimulation. When one is suffering from severe anxiety about their health, they could be prone to interpret any unusual or uncomfortable sensations to be psychosomatic symptoms of anxiety of a serious illness. They may obsess over their symptoms, « Google » them or seek out constant reassurance from family and friends. They might be hesitant to interact with certain people or places for fear of getting sick.
The twitching can get worse as anxiety increases. This is because the twitching is caused by the same fight or flight response that occurs when they experience anxiety.
You should not only try to ignore your twitching, but also talk to an expert in mental health about it. Counseling or cognitive-behavioral therapy can help you learn how to manage your anxiety breathing symptoms so that the twitching stops.
3. Sweating
Sweating is one of the most frequent physical signs of anxiety about health. This condition that you notice, whether it’s a haze on your forehead or patches under your arms, can be quite troubling. It can lead to additional health concerns.
People suffering from illness anxiety disorder (also called hypochondriasis) tend to misinterpret minor symptoms as signs of more serious diseases. They can be prone to spending hours searching for symptoms and get a lot of assurances from family members or medical professionals. In some cases, they stay away from certain activities or do not attend important social events due to their anxiety.
When people are anxious their brain triggers the autonomic nervous system (ANS) which is commonly referred to as the « fight or flight » response. This triggers a surge of stress hormones that can trigger the body’s response in various ways, such as sweating.
Instead of being focused on your anxiety, try to shift your thoughts to something else that creates positive or peaceful feelings. This can help you realize that, most times, your body’s reactions are not necessarily a sign of danger. This can help you realize that you’re usually more concerned about the possibility of a severe disease than strep or a bent ankle.
4. Dizziness
Health anxiety is typically associated with dizziness, feeling lightheaded, and fainting. They are also frequently part of a vicious cycle where anxiety and dizziness reinforce each other, resulting in more frequent and severe episodes.
Illness Post anxiety attack symptoms disorder, previously referred to as hypochondria, is characterized by constant and excessive worry about developing rare or deadly diseases. The condition can be debilitating and hinders people from enjoying a full and fulfilling life.
When a person suffering from illness anxiety suffers from a physical sensation, they are likely to assume it is the sign of a serious illness. They might then go online for information that confirms their fears, which can cause more anxiety. They may even be convinced that their doctors are not taking their concerns seriously and this can fuel their fears.
If left untreated, the symptoms may affect your relationships (since your family and friends get tired of listening to you talk about your possible illnesses every time you go out) and at work (because you are unable to complete important tasks due to visiting the doctor). If you think you might be suffering from this disorder, speak with your doctor about the treatment options. Cognitive behavioral therapy is among the most effective treatments for this psychiatric disorder. It helps to identify negative thought patterns that can cause anxiety and increase the chance of a dizzy spell, and then replace them with healthier ones.
5. Swelling
Swollen lymph glands are a typical manifestation of anxiety about health. This is the result of the stress-increase that comes from the fear or anxiety of having a serious disease. The body reacts to the stress in a variety of ways, including by increasing production of hormones which cause blood vessels and lymph nodes to expand.
It is normal to worry from time to time about your health, especially in the midst of this epidemic. However, extreme health anxiety can cause a lot of damage on the person, their family and even their job. Encourage a loved one who suffers from anxiety-related illness disorder (formerly called hypochondria) to seek out mental health advice to learn how to manage their symptoms.
Illness anxiety disorder can also be called hypochondria, generalized anxiety or health anxiety disorder. It is characterized by a preoccupation with the notion that you are at risk of developing a serious illness and extreme fear or anxiety about your health and wellbeing, frequently coupled with avoidance and body checks, reassurance seeking behaviour, or both. 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 deadly disease.
6. Heart palpitations
Heart palpitations are a typical sign of anxiety. They can feel as if your heart is pounding or beating out of rhythm. Some describe a fluttering, heart that is fluttering. If you experience frequent heart palpitations or hinder your daily activities, your healthcare provider may suggest an ECG to rule out medical conditions that may be causing them. If they’re by anxiety, medications or psychotherapy could help.
People with health anxiety mistakenly think that normal or non-threatening physical symptoms as a sign of something serious. They are also susceptible to panic attacks which are intense episodes of anxiety that can include chest pain, breathing problems chills, sweating, and the feeling you’re losing consciousness.
It’s normal to worry about your health, particularly when a pandemic is underway. However, when a concern becomes an obsession it can turn into a condition known as hypochondria or anxiety about health. Fortunately, you can get treated for this disorder, which is more common than people realize. Treatment options include talk therapies, medications such as beta blockers, and lifestyle changes. You can also try meditation or yoga to soothe your mind and body. The most important thing is to obtain a diagnosis.
7. Leg swelling
People who suffer from health anxiety often have a preoccupation with one or more somatic symptoms and are convinced that they have or are likely to develop a serious illness. This can lead to excessive monitoring (such as frequent medical checks or an over-interpretation on everyday bodily sensations) and seeking out assurance, and other unhealthy behavior. It is not uncommon for people with health morning anxiety symptoms to be afflicted by physical symptoms like numbness, chest pains, or stomachaches as a result of their anxiety-related worry.
Health anxiety can be triggered by a variety of factors like the loss or serious illness of a family member or witnessing a traumatizing accident or working in healthcare or being exposed to traumatic information about diseases and illnesses in the media. Health anxiety is only diagnosed when a person’s concerns are out of proportion, and interfere with their well-being and their daily activities.
If you or someone you love suffers from anxiety-related health issues an evaluation by a doctor is important. It’s also a good idea to go through psychotherapy, like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and as well as take medication if required. This will teach you how to manage your anxiety and maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.