12 Companies Leading The Way In Physical Symptoms Of Health Anxiety
Physical Symptoms of Health Anxiety
Health anxiety can be brought on through a variety of situations such as witnessing a loved one get sick or die, having an extremely stressful job in the field of healthcare or becoming a parent. People with this condition often have a churning abdominal and excessive sweating.
They also mistakenly interpret normal bodily sensations like headaches or coughs as signs of an illness that is more serious. They search for hours on the internet for answers, and seek reassurance from medical professionals.
1. Headache
Everyone worries about their health, but the irrational fears that are associated with anxiety and illness can disrupt your life. You may spend hours searching online for your symptoms and believe that the most normal sensation could be an indication of something serious. A headache, for instance can lead one to believe that they have a tumour in your brain when it's actually a hangover.
Illness anxiety patients are hyper-vigilant and fearful of any changes in their bodies, despite being assured by medical professionals and having negative test results. The anxiety associated with illness can cause other issues, like being unable to participate in social or work activities and having difficulty maintaining close relationships.
It's important to seek help to address anxiety that is affecting your daily life. Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioural therapy is the most popular treatment for health anxiety. Occasionally, your doctor may prescribe medication for anxiety. For a start, consult your GP or call the Priory for a world-class mental health assessment. Our experts can diagnose anxiety disorders and offer treatment. Our therapists will work with you to help you understand your anxiety and help you develop strategies for coping.
2. Muscle twitches
Another physical sign of anxiety-related health issues is muscle shaking. These involuntary spasms of muscles can happen anywhere 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 discomfort or unusual sensations as signs of a serious disease. They may obsess over their symptoms, search for them, or seek out a lot of reassurance from friends and family members. They also tend to avoid places and people because they fear getting an illness.
The twitching may get worse as anxiety increases. This is because the twitching is caused by the same fight or flight response that occurs when they feel anxious.
You should not only try to ignore your twitching but also speak to a mental healthcare professional about it. Getting counseling or cognitive-behavioral therapy can help you learn to manage anxiety so the twitching stops.
3. Sweating
Sweating is among the most frequently reported physical signs that are associated with health anxiety. This sign is a sheen on your forehead or patches of sweat under your arms, can be quite distressing. It can lead to further health concerns.
Patients suffering from anxiety disorder, also known as hypochondriasis, tend to mistakenly interpret minor physical sensations as a sign of a serious condition. They may spend hours Googling symptoms and seek excessive reassurances from medical professionals or friends. In some instances they are forced to avoid certain activities or even miss important social occasions.
When people are stressed, their brain triggers the autonomic nervous system (ANS) which is commonly referred to as the "fight or flight" response. This triggers an increase in stress hormones that can cause the body to respond in a variety of ways, such as sweating.
Instead of focus on your anxiety, try to shift your thoughts to something else that brings you peace or positive feelings. This can help you realize that your body's reactions most of the time are not an indication of a health issue. This can help you remember that you're usually more concerned about the possibility of a severe disease than strep or a bent ankle.
4. Dizziness
Lightheadedness, dizziness, and feeling faint are common symptoms that are associated with anxiety related to health. They can also be part of a vicious cycle in which anxiety and dizziness exacerbate each other, leading to more frequent and severe episodes.
Illness anxiety disorder (previously known as hypochondria) is characterized by a high and constant anxiety about deadly or rare illnesses. The condition can be crippling, preventing people to live an active and fulfilling life.
If someone suffering from anxiety disorder experiences a new physical sensation, they are likely to think it's a sign of a serious disease. They may then search online for information that supports the fears they have, which can cause more anxiety. They may even believe their doctors don't take them seriously, which can further fuel their fears.
If left untreated, the symptoms may affect your relationships (since your family and friends get tired of talking about all of your potential ailments every time you go out) and at work (because you don't get to work on important tasks due to going to the doctor). If you think you might be suffering from this disorder, speak with your doctor about the best treatment options. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for this mental disorder. anxiety symptoms helps to identify negative thinking patterns that cause anxiety and increase the likelihood of having a dizzy spell, then replace them with healthy ones.
5. Swelling
Swollen lymph glands are a common symptom of anxiety about health. This is because of the stress that is caused by the fear of a serious illness. The body reacts to stress in various ways, such as increasing hormone production that causes blood vessels and lymphatic nodes to expand.
It's normal to be concerned at times about your health, but especially during this era of pandemic. However, serious health anxiety can have devastating consequences on the person as well as their family, and their career. If you or someone you love suffers from illness anxiety disorder (formerly known as hypochondria) and you want them to get a mental health referral to learn more about managing their symptoms.
Illness anxiety disorder can also be called hypochondria, health anxiety or generalized anxiety disorder. It is characterized by a preoccupation with the belief that you are in danger of developing a serious illness and an extreme anxiety or fear of your health and well-being often combined with avoidance behaviour and body checks, reassurance seeking behaviour, or both. It can also be a result of confusion of normal bodily sensations, like a tingling in your arm or a slight change in the color of your bowel movements as a sign of a fatal illness.
6. Heart palpitations
Heart palpitations are a common sign of anxiety. It could feel like your heart is skipping or beating out of rhythm. Some people report a fluttering or a vibrating sensation in the chest. If the heart palpitations are frequent and disrupt your everyday activities, your healthcare provider might suggest an ECG or heart monitor to rule out a medical condition that may trigger them. If they're due to anxiety, medication or psychotherapy may help.
People with health anxiety misinterpret normal or normal physical symptoms as being serious. They could also be more susceptible to panic attacks which is a severe feeling of anxiety, which can include chest pain, breathing problems sweating, chills, and the sensation that you are losing consciousness.
It's normal to be concerned about your health, especially when a pandemic is underway. If a worry becomes a recurring concern it can turn into a disorder known as hypochondria or health anxiety. This condition is more prevalent than most people realize. Treatment options include talking therapy, medication like beta blockers, and lifestyle changes. You can also practice yoga or meditation to relax your body and mind. It is crucial to receive the right diagnosis.
7. The legs are swelling
People who suffer from health anxiety tend to be preoccupied with one or more of the somatic symptoms and are convinced that they have or are about to get an illness that is serious. This can lead to excessive monitoring behaviours (like frequent medical check-ups or over-interpretation of everyday bodily sensations) or seeking out reassurance and other unhealthy behaviours. It is not uncommon for those who suffer from anxiety disorders to suffer physical symptoms like chest pains, numbness or stomachaches due to their anxiety-related worry.
Health anxiety can be triggered by a variety of factors like the loss or serious illness of a loved one or witnessing an accident that is traumatic, working in healthcare, or being exposed to traumatic information about diseases and illnesses in the media. However, it can be considered to be health anxiety if the individual's anxiety is out of proportion and seriously impact their daily functioning and quality of life.
If you or someone you love suffer from anxiety-related health issues, it's important to see a doctor to conduct a thorough medical examination. You may also wish to consider psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) and medications as you require. This will help you learn how to manage your anxiety and maintain an active life.