How To Explain Physical Symptoms Of Health Anxiety To Your Grandparents
Physical Symptoms of Health Anxiety
Health anxiety can be brought on by a variety of causes, such as watching a loved-one get sick or die, or working an uneasy job in the healthcare sector. People with this condition often have a churning abdominal and excessive sweating.
They also mistakenly interpret normal bodily sensations like a cough or a headache as a sign of a serious illness. They spend hours scouring the internet for answers, and seek assurance from medical professionals.
1. Headache
As everyone is concerned about their health at some point, the irrational anxiety of illness anxiety disorder (formerly known as hypochondria) can disrupt your daily life. You may spend hours searching online for your symptoms, and think that the most normal sensation could be an indication of something more serious. A headache, for instance, could lead you to believe that you have a tumor on your brain, but it's actually a hangover.
Illness anxiety sufferers are hyper-vigilant about any changes to their bodies. They are unable to control their fear, despite repeated assurances from medical professionals as well as negative test results. Anxiety from illness can cause other issues, such as avoiding work and social activities and struggling to maintain close relationships.
If you find that your anxiety is affecting your life, it's important to seek out help. Psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioural therapy is the most popular treatment for health anxiety. Sometimes, your doctor will prescribe medication to combat anxiety. Contact your GP for an assessment of your mental health, or contact The Priory to receive a world-class assessment. Our experts can diagnose anxiety disorders and provide treatment. Our therapists will work with you to understand the causes of your anxiety and help you develop strategies for coping.
2. Muscle moves
Muscle twitching is another physical symptom that's associated with anxiety and health. These involuntary muscle spasms can occur anywhere on the body and are a result of constant stress and nerve system stimulation. If someone suffers from significant anxiety about their health, they consider any discomfort or unusual sensations as signs of serious disease. They may be obsessed with their symptoms, "Google" them or seek out constant reassurance from family and friends. They might avoid certain people and places because they fear getting sick.
In some instances the twitching can increase as anxiety increases. The reason for this is that the twitching is result of the same fight-or-flight response that is activated when they experience anxiety.
You shouldn't just try to ignore your twitching but you should also speak with an expert in mental health about it. Counseling or cognitive-behavioral therapy can help you learn to manage your anxiety so the twitching stops.
3. Sweating
Sweating is a typical physical symptom of health anxiety. Whether it's a sheen of sweat on your forehead or patches of sweat under your arms, this symptom can be extremely troubling and often leads to further concerns about your health.
People suffering from anxiety disorder, also referred to as hypochondriasis, tend to miss the subtle physical symptoms as signs of a more serious condition. They can spend hours Googling their symptoms and seeking out constant reassurance from friends or medical experts. In some cases the fear of being diagnosed can cause them to avoid certain activities and even miss important social occasions.
When people are anxious, their brain triggers the autonomic nervous system (ANS) that is also known as the "fight or flight" response. This triggers a surge of stress hormones, which can trigger the body's response in various ways, such as sweating.
Instead of focusing on your anxiety, try shifting your thoughts to something else that inspires peaceful or positive feelings. This can help you realize that, a lot of the time the body's reactions are not an indication of danger. This can help you remember that you're typically more concerned about the possibility of contracting a serious illness than strep or a bent ankle.
4. Dizziness
Lightheadedness, dizziness and feeling faint are typical symptoms of anxiety-related health issues. They can also be part of a vicious cycle, where anxiety and dizziness reinforce each other, resulting in more frequent and debilitating episodes.
Illness anxiety disorder (previously known as hypochondria) is characterized by a high and constant anxiety about deadly or rare illnesses. This condition can be debilitating and prevents people from enjoying a full and fulfilling life.
When someone with an illness-related anxiety disorder feels a new sensation, they usually believe it's a sign that there is a serious illness. They can then look on the internet for information that confirms the fears they have which can lead to more anxiety. They may even believe their doctors do not take seriously their concerns, which could cause them to be more anxious.
If not treated and untreated, the symptoms of anxiety disorder can take a toll on relationships (since your family and friends get tired of hearing about your plethora of potential ailments every time you hang out) and work (because you are constantly missing out on important projects because of endless doctor visits). Consult your doctor if that you might be suffering from this disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for this mental disorder. It assists in identifying negative thoughts that contribute to anxiety and increase the chance of a dizzy spell, then replace them with healthy ones.
5. Swelling
Swollen lymph glands are a common manifestation of anxiety about health. This is due to the increased stress caused by a fear of a serious illness. The body may react to stress in a variety ways, including by increasing the production of hormones that cause blood vessels and lymph nodes to grow.
While it's normal to be concerned about your health from time-to-time especially during this pandemic stress - health anxiety that is severe can be devastating for the person affected, 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 a mental health referral to learn more about how to manage their symptoms.
Illness anxiety disorder is also called hypochondria, generalized anxiety, or health anxiety disorder. It is described as a constant belief that one has or is in danger of developing serious illness as well as extreme anxiety and fear about health and well-being. This is often coupled with avoiding behavior and body-checking, or reassurance seeking behavior. It can also be a result of the misinterpretation of normal bodily sensations such as a tingling in your arm or an occasional change in your the color of your bowel movements as being the sign of a fatal illness.
6. Heart palpitations
Heart palpitations are a typical sign of anxiety. It could feel like your heart is racing or beating out of tune. Some report a fluttering or flapping feeling in the chest. If frequent heartbeats disrupt your daily activities, your doctor may suggest an ECG to identify medical conditions that could cause them. If they're due to anxiety, medication or psychotherapy may help.
Health anxiety sufferers mistakenly interpret benign or normal physical symptoms as serious. They are also more susceptible to panic attacks which is a severe anxiety attack that can manifest as chest pain, difficulty breathing chills and sweating as well as the feeling that you're losing your consciousness.
It's natural to worry about your health, particularly when a pandemic is underway. When a concern becomes an obsession and becomes a habit, it could lead to an anxiety disorder known as health anxiety or hypochondria. Fortunately, it is possible to be treated for this condition, which is much more common than people realize. Treatment options include a variety of therapies, including talking therapies, medicines such as beta blockers, and lifestyle adjustments. You may also try yoga or meditation to relax your mind and body. It is crucial to receive the right diagnosis.
7. Leg swelling
People suffering from health anxiety are often preoccupied by one or more physical symptoms and are convinced that they are suffering from or about to get an illness that is serious. This leads to excessive checking behaviors (like frequent medical checks or over-interpretation of everyday bodily sensations) and seeking comfort, and other unhealthful behaviors. As a result, people with health concerns may experience physical symptoms like chest pains or numbness.
Health anxiety can be caused by a variety of causes such as experiencing the death or serious illness of a family member or witnessing an accident that is traumatic or working in healthcare or being exposed to distressing information about illnesses and diseases in the media. However, it can be deemed to be health anxiety if the person's anxiety is out of proportion and seriously impact their daily functioning and quality of life.
If weird physical symptoms of anxiety or someone you love suffers from anxiety-related health issues medical examination is essential. It's recommended to undergo psychotherapy, like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and as well as taking medication if necessary. This will allow you to manage your anxiety and live an active and healthy life.