What is illness anxiety?

Have you ever felt a small headache and then immediately assumed it’s a brain tumor? Or perhaps googled your symptoms at midnight and convinced yourself you’re dying? Well, my friend, welcome to the world of Illness Anxiety. In this article, we’ll dive into what exactly illness anxiety is, how it presents itself in our lives, some possible causes for it and most importantly – how to deal with it.

So… What Exactly Is It?

First things first – let’s define what illness anxiety actually means. It used to be called hypochondria, which basically meant extreme fear of having a disease or health condition despite having no physical symptoms. The medical industry has since replaced that word with ‘illness anxiety’ to take away from the negative stigma surrounding hypochondria (even though they essentially mean the same thing).

People who suffer from illness anxiety constantly worry about their health even when there is nothing wrong with them. They tend to misinterpret normal bodily sensations as signs of serious illnesses that could potentially threaten their life.

This can be exhausting for people who live with Illness Anxiety Disorder (the psychiatric diagnosis given when these symptoms become too overwhelming). Those diagnosed may also experience panic attacks or severe distress after any perceived sign/symptom occurs.

But Isn’t Worrying About Your Health A Good Thing?

Of course! Being proactive about your health should always be encouraged! However, excessive worrying about imaginary diseases will not help you stay healthy but instead make your mental wellbeing deteriorate rapidly.

Let me rephrase: Being concerned on occasion like “I need an annual check-up” are valuable habits but fretting over every minor sensation/imagined ailment where “my hand feels hot today I must have Gangrene” is NOT productive nor healthy.

Why Does Someone Develop This Conditiont

There are several possible explanations as to why someone might develop illness anxiety:

Childhood Trauma or Abuse

A history of childhood trauma and abuse can contribute to the onset of illness anxiety. Children who experience high levels of stress or worry a lot about their own health may grow up into adults with similar worries.

Genetics

Studies suggest that there might be a genetic link to developing Illness Anxiety Disorder, though little is currently known about this theory.

Life Circumstances

Our current life circumstances greatly influence our mental space; which impacts how we perceive ourselves in relation to health. If you are going through an intense time – for example: unemployement, financial insecurity etc then your mind will conveniently select Health concerns as another burden on your already overburdened brain = maximum fun! /s

How To Handle It?

Here are some tools that can help reduce illness anxiety:

Therapy/Counseling Sessions With A Professional Therapist

The most effective way to manage this condition is usually some form of talking therapy — cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) being at the forefront however psychoanalytical approaches also have shown success. Talking therapies tend to focus on unpacking any underlying beliefs and challenging false assumptions/figments-of-imagination used by sufferers when it comes to hypothetical illnesses.

CBT-inspired strategies try teaching the patient ways learn techniques like relaxation training methods – breathing exercises; progressive muscle relaxation- meditation etc: These activities facilitate relaxation so as patients sift through anxious thoughts they find more clarity and peace inside themselves.

Approaches such like Psychoanalysts would seek out any underlying unconscious memories related why someone could develop these fears around likelihood of contracting an impractical disease. (or cursory self-examination behaviors.) Essentially putting objectivity alongside subjective analysis.

To consolidate:
Therapy + Rx’s

  • Mindfulness(Optimal)

If Things Get Too Intense Medication May Be NeedednHowever its important mention that medication isn’t a remedy for the issue in isolation. Medication works better when it is a part of a comprehensive approach with lifestyle interventions like diet etc and different cognitive approaches to mental health.

Takeaways

Whilst Illness Anxiety can be exhausting, there are management solutions out there. It simply boils down to finding what fits your preferred worldviews/helps you conquer overbearing anatomical inclinations.

Tips like cutting back on googling up every symptom under the sun (or moon for that matter); scheduling an appointment with a trusted medical professional and incorporating mindful exercises into daily routines – all contribute towards making it easier cultivating inner calm amidst external chaos.

Now you’re equipped with knowledge armour around minor concerns vs imaginary fatalities!

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