A Delightful Rant About Physical Symptoms Of Health Anxiety
Physical Symptoms of Health Anxiety
Health anxiety can be caused by a variety of factors, such as watching a loved one get sick or die, or working an uneasy job in the healthcare sector. People suffering from this condition typically have a churning abdomen and excessive sweating.
They also mistake physical sensations like headache or a cough as signs of a serious illnesses. They can spend hours searching the internet for answers, and seek reassurance from medical professionals.
1. Headache
As everyone is concerned about their health at some point, the irrational anxiety associated with illness anxiety disorder (formerly known as hypochondria) can cause disruption to your life. You can spend a lot of time searching for your symptoms and assume that even the most uninvolved sensation is a sign of something serious. A headache, for example can cause you to believe you have a tumour in your brain when it's actually a hangover.
Illness anxiety patients are hyper-vigilant and fearful of any changes that might occur in their bodies, despite being reassured by medical professionals and obtaining negative test results. Illness anxiety can also result in other issues like avoidance of social and work activities and battling to maintain close relationships.
It is important to seek assistance when anxiety affects your life. Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, is the most common treatment for health anxiety. Sometimes, your doctor will prescribe medication to combat anxiety. To begin, visit your GP or call the Priory for a world-class mental health assessment. Our experts are able to diagnose anxiety disorders and provide treatment. Our therapists will work with you to understand your anxiety and teach you strategies to cope.
2. Muscle is twitching
Muscle twitching is another physical symptom that's associated with anxiety and health. These involuntary spasms of muscles can happen anywhere on the body due to of constant stress and nerve stimulation. If one is suffering from severe health anxiety they may interpret any discomfort or unusual sensations to be indications of a serious illness. They may obsess over their symptoms, look them up on Google them, or seek a lot of comfort from family members and friends. They also tend to avoid people and places because of fear of catching an illness.
The twitching can get worse as anxiety increases. The twitching is caused by the fight or flight response is activated when anxiety is present.
It is not enough to ignore the twitching but also talk to an expert in mental health about it. Getting counseling or cognitive-behavioral therapy can help you understand how to manage your anxiety so the twitching stops.
3. Sweating
Sweating is a common physical symptom of health anxiety. This sign that you notice, whether it's a haze on your forehead or patches under your arms, can be very distressing. It is often the cause of more health issues.
People with illness anxiety disorder (also known as hypochondriasis) are prone to misinterpret small symptoms as signs of serious illnesses. They could spend hours researching their symptoms and seeking out constant reassurance from friends or medical professionals. In some cases the fear of being diagnosed can cause them to avoid certain activities or even miss out on important social opportunities.
When people are anxious the brain triggers the autonomic nerve system (ANS), also known as the "fight-or-flight" response. This triggers an increase in stress hormones that cause the body to respond in various ways, including sweating.
Instead of trying to focus on anxiety instead, try shifting your focus to something more positive or calm. This can help you understand that, a lot times, your body's reactions do not indicate a sign of danger. It can also help you realize that you are usually much more worried about the possibility of a serious disease than about getting strep throat or twisting your ankle.
4. Dizziness
Health anxiety is typically associated with dizziness, feeling lightheaded, and fainting. They are also often a part of a vicious cycle, where anxiety and dizziness reinforce each other, leading to more frequent and debilitating episodes.
Illness anxiety disorder, which was previously referred to as hypochondria is characterized by persistent and constant worry about the possibility of developing rare or fatal diseases. This condition can be debilitating and prevents people from living their lives to the fullest.
If anxiety symptoms pain in chest Iampsychiatry suffering from anxiety-related illness disorder experiences a new sensation, they often assume that it is an indication that an illness of serious nature is present. They can then look on the internet for information that confirms their fears, which may lead to more anxiety. They may even believe their doctors do not take them seriously, which can cause them to be more anxious.
If not treated and untreated, the symptoms of anxiety disorder can take a toll on relationships (since friends and family tire of hearing about your multitude of possible ailments each time you go out) and at work (because you are constantly not able to work on important projects due to never-ending doctor visits). Talk to your doctor if you suspect you might have this disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for this psychiatric disorder. It helps to identify negative thoughts that can lead to anxiety or increase the risk of dizziness, and then replace them with healthier ones.
5. Swelling
Swollen lymph glands are a common manifestation of anxiety about health. This is due to the heightened stress that results from a fear or preoccupation of developing a serious illness. The body may react to the stress in a variety ways, such as by increasing production of hormones which cause blood vessels and lymph nodes to grow.
While it is normal to be concerned about one's health from time-to-time - particularly during this pandemic - severe health anxiety can have devastating effects on the person affected as well as their family and even their career. If you or someone you love suffers from illness anxiety disorder (formerly known as hypochondria) be sure to encourage them to get an appointment with a mental health professional to learn more about managing the symptoms.
Illness anxiety disorder, also referred to as hypochondria or health anxiety, is a specific type of generalized anxiety disorder. It is described as a preoccupation of the belief that one has or is in danger of developing a serious illness and extreme fear and anxiety about health and well-being. It is usually associated with avoidance behavior and body-checking, or reassurance-seeking behaviour. It can also be a result of misinterpretation of normal bodily sensations such as a tingling in your arm or a slight change in bowel movement colour, as being the sign of a serious illness.
6. Heart palpitations
Heart palpitations can be a sign of health anxiety. You might feel like your heart is sputtering or beating out of rhythm. Some people report a fluttering or flapping sensation in the chest. If the palpitations are regular and cause disruption to everyday activities, your doctor might suggest an ECG or heart monitor to rule out a medical condition that could cause them. If they are caused by anxiety, medication or psychotherapy could help.
People suffering from health anxiety may believe that normal or benign physical symptoms as being serious. They are also more prone to panic attack, which is a severe bout of fear, including chest pain, difficulty breathing chills and sweating as well as the feeling that you're losing consciousness.
It's natural to worry about your own health, especially when a pandemic is in the midst. But, if a concern becomes an obsession it can turn into a condition called health anxiety or hypochondria. This is a more frequent condition than people think. Treatment options include talk therapy, medications such as beta blockers and lifestyle adjustments. You can even practice yoga or meditation to calm your mind and body. The most important thing to do is get an accurate diagnosis.
7. Swelling of the legs
Health anxiety sufferers are often enthralled by one or more physical symptoms and signs and are convinced that they suffer from or are nearing the onset of a serious illness. This could lead to excessive checking (such as frequent medical checks or an over-interpretation on everyday bodily sensations) or seeking assurance and other unhealthy behavior. It is not uncommon for those who suffer from anxiety disorders to be afflicted by physical symptoms like numbness, chest pains, or stomachaches due to their anxiety-related worry.
Health anxiety can be triggered by a variety of causes. It could be due to the death or serious illness a loved person has suffered, or witnessing an accident or working in the field of healthcare, or being exposed in the media to a lot of negative information on diseases and illnesses. However, it would only be diagnosed as health anxiety when the individual's worries are not in proportion and significantly impact their daily functioning and quality of life.
If you or someone you love suffers from health anxiety an evaluation by a doctor is important. It's also a good idea to undergo psychotherapy, like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), as well as taking medications if needed. This will teach you how to manage your anxiety and lead an active life.