Physical Symptoms of Health Anxiety

Health anxiety can be brought on through a variety of situations like witnessing the illness of a loved one or die, working an extremely stressful job in the field of healthcare or becoming parents. People who suffer from this condition usually have a churning abdomen and excessive sweating.

They also mistake physical sensations like headache or a cough as a sign of a serious health issue. They can spend hours searching on the internet for answers, and seek advice from medical experts.

1. Headache

Everyone worries about their health But the irrational worries associated with illness anxiety disorder can cause a lot of stress in your life. You could spend hours searching for your symptoms and believe that the most benign sensation is an indication of something serious. For instance a headache can make you believe that you've got a brain tumour when it's actually a hangover.

People suffering from anxiety-related illnesses are constantly vigilant about any changes in their bodies and can't control their anxiety, despite constant reassurance from medical professionals and negative test results. Illness anxiety can also result in other issues like avoidance of social and work activities and having difficulty maintaining close relationships.

If you notice that your anxiety interferes with your life, it's important to seek out help. Psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy is the most popular method of treatment for health anxiety. Sometimes, your doctor will prescribe medication to combat anxiety. Talk to 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 twitches

Another physical sign of anxiety-related health issues is muscle that twitches. These involuntary spasms of muscles can happen anywhere on the body as a result of constant stress and nerve stimulation. If someone suffers from significant anxiety about their health, they may consider any discomfort or unusual sensations as a sign of serious illness. They may be obsessed with their symptoms, 'Google' them or seek excessive reassurance from family members and friends. They may also avoid places and people because they fear getting an illness.

In certain instances the twitching could become more severe as anxiety rises. The twitching is caused by the fight or flight response is activated when anxiety is present.

It is not enough to ignore your twitching but also talk to a mental health professional about it. Counseling or cognitive-behavioral therapy can aid in managing your anxiety and stop the twitching.

3. Sweating

Sweating is among the most frequently reported weird physical symptoms of anxiety symptoms associated with anxiety about health. This symptom, whether it's a sheen on your forehead or patches of sweat under your arms, can be very distressing. It is often the cause of additional health concerns.

People who suffer from illness anxiety disorder, also referred to as hypochondriasis, are prone to mistakenly interpret minor physical sensations as a sign of a serious illness. They may spend hours Googling symptoms and seek excessive reassurances from medical professionals or friends. In some instances the fear of being diagnosed can cause them to avoid certain activities and even miss important social opportunities.

When people are stressed, the brain activates the autonomic nerve system (ANS), also known as the "fight-or-flight" response. This can result in a rise in stress hormones, which could trigger the body's response to sweating.

Instead of focusing on anxiety, try shifting your thoughts towards something calm or positive. This can help you realize that your body's reactions most often aren't an indication of danger. It can also help you remember that you are usually much more concerned about the possibility of contracting a serious illness than about getting strep throat or bending your ankle.

4. Dizziness

Dizziness, lightheadedness, and feeling faint are typical symptoms that are associated with health anxiety. They can also be part of a vicious cycle in which anxiety and dizziness reinforce each other, leading to more frequent and severe episodes.

Illness anxiety disorder, which was previously referred to as hypochondria is characterized by constant and excessive worry about developing rare or deadly diseases. This condition can be crippling and prevents people from living an active and joyful life.

If someone suffering from anxiety-related illness disorder feels a new sensation, they usually assume that it is a sign that there is a serious illness. They can then look online for information that supports the fears they have which can lead to more anxiety. They may even believe their doctors do not take them seriously, which could increase their anxiety.

If left untreated, the symptoms may affect your relationships (since family and friends tire of talking about all your possible illnesses each time you go out) and at work (because you are unable to complete important tasks due to going to the doctor). Speak to your doctor if that you might be suffering from this condition. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for this mental disorder. It helps to identify negative thoughts that cause anxiety and increase the risk of a dizzy spell, and then replace them with healthier ones.

5. Swelling

Swollen lymph glands are a typical manifestation of anxiety about health. This is due to the increased stress that comes from the fear or anxiety of having a serious disease. The body may react to stress in a variety of ways, including by increasing the production of hormones that cause blood vessels as well as lymph nodes to expand.

It's normal to be concerned occasionally about your health, especially during this pandemic. However, severe health anxiety can cause a lot of damage on the person as well as their family, and their professional career. If you or a loved one suffers from illness anxiety disorder (formerly known as hypochondria) and you want them to seek out a mental health referral to learn more about managing the symptoms.

Illness anxiety disorder, often referred to as hypochondria or health anxiety, is a distinct type of generalized anxiety disorder. It is described as a heightened belief that someone has or is in danger of developing a serious illness and a high level of anxiety and fear about health and wellbeing. This is often coupled with avoiding behavior, body checking, or reassurance seeking behavior. It could be caused by misinterpreting body sensations, such as tingling or a slight color change in your bowel movements as indications of a fatal disease.

6. Heart palpitations

Heart palpitations are a typical indication of health anxiety withdrawal symptoms. You might feel like your heart is skipping or thumping out of rhythm. Some people report a fluttering or flapping sensation in the chest. If frequent heartbeats disrupt your daily activities, your healthcare provider may suggest an ECG to identify medical conditions that could be causing them. If they're caused by anxiety, treatment using medication or psychotherapy (talk therapy) may aid.

People with health anxiety mistakenly believe that normal or benign physical symptoms as serious. They may also be more susceptible to panic attacks, which is a severe bout of fear, including chest pain, breathing difficulties chills and sweating as well as the feeling that you're losing consciousness.

It's natural to worry about your health, especially when a pandemic is underway. When a concern becomes an obsessional behavior, it can lead to a disorder called health anxiety or hypochondria. It is possible to get treated for this condition, which is much more common than people realize. Treatment options include talk therapy, medications like beta blockers, and lifestyle changes. You can also try meditation or yoga to soothe your body and mind. The most important thing is to obtain an appointment with a doctor.

7. Leg swelling

People with health anxiety are usually preoccupied by a variety of somatic signs and symptoms, and they believe that they suffer from or are about to suffer an illness that is serious. This leads to a lot of checking behaviours (like frequent medical check-ups or a distorted interpretation of everyday bodily sensations) and seeking comfort, and other unhealthful behaviors. It is not unusual for people who suffer from anxiety symptoms fatigue disorders to experience physical symptoms such as chest pains, numbness or stomachaches as a result of their excessive worrying.

Health anxiety can be triggered by many different things 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 traumatic information about illnesses and diseases in the media. However, it would only be diagnosed as health anxiety when the individual's anxiety is out of proportion and seriously impact their daily functioning and quality of life.

If you or a loved one suffer from health anxiety is important to visit a doctor for a thorough medical evaluation. It's also a good idea to seek psychotherapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as taking medications if needed. This will help you learn to control your anxiety and live a healthy life.