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What is Health Anxiety
Health anxiety, also known as illness anxiety disorder, previously called "hypochondriasis," is an anxiety disorder where a person becomes overly focused on the fear that they have or might develop a serious illness. While it’s natural to be concerned about our health from time to time, individuals with health anxiety experience excessive worry that can disrupt their daily lives. According to the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), health anxiety is closely linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), as the fear often takes the form of intrusive thoughts that lead to compulsive behaviors aimed at seeking reassurance or avoiding perceived threats.
Individuals with health anxiety may experience a variety of symptoms, both mental and physical, that reinforce their fears. Common signs include:
Health anxiety can have a profound impact on a person’s quality of life. Social relationships may suffer if the individual constantly seeks reassurance from loved ones or isolates themselves to avoid perceived risks. They may also spend an inordinate amount of time researching symptoms, avoiding places or activities that could expose them to illness, or engaging in compulsive health checks.
Additionally, this constant preoccupation with health can lead to stress, depression, and increased physical symptoms such as tension headaches or gastrointestinal issues. The more a person with health anxiety focuses on bodily sensations, the more they may experience real symptoms that further fuel their fears, creating a vicious cycle.
According to the International OCD Foundation, health anxiety shares many features with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In both conditions, individuals experience intrusive thoughts that trigger anxiety, leading to compulsive behaviors aimed at reducing that anxiety. For those with health anxiety, these compulsions often take the form of checking, seeking reassurance, or avoiding certain situations.
One key distinction, however, is that individuals with health anxiety are typically focused on concerns about their health, whereas people with OCD may have a broader range of intrusive thoughts. Nonetheless, both disorders thrive on uncertainty and the need for control, making it difficult for individuals to break free from their cycles of worry and compulsion.
The good news is that health anxiety is treatable. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), particularly a form called exposure and response prevention (ERP), has been shown to be highly effective. ERP involves gradually exposing the individual to their health-related fears without allowing them to engage in compulsive behaviors like reassurance-seeking or checking. Over time, this helps reduce the anxiety associated with the intrusive thoughts and breaks the cycle of compulsions.
Mindfulness-based approaches and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) are also effective, helping individuals develop a more balanced relationship with their thoughts and feelings rather than getting caught up in the cycle of fear.
In some cases, medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may also be helpful in managing symptoms of anxiety and OCD.
If a loved one is struggling with health anxiety, it’s important to be supportive without reinforcing their compulsive behaviors. Here are a few ways you can help:
Health anxiety can be debilitating, but with proper understanding and treatment, individuals can learn to manage their fears and reclaim their lives. Recognizing the signs and seeking support, whether through therapy or understanding loved ones, is the first step toward breaking the cycle of worry. For more information, visit IOCDF’s website where you can find resources on health anxiety, OCD, and effective treatment options.
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