Physical Symptoms of Health Anxiety

Health anxiety can be triggered by a variety of experiences like witnessing someone you love get sick or die, working an uneasy job in healthcare or becoming a parent. Most people suffering from this condition have a churning stomach and sweating excessively.

They also mistake bodily sensations, such as a cough or headache as signs of serious illnesses. They search for hours on the internet for answers and seek out reassurance from medical experts.

1. Headache

Everyone is concerned about their health, but the irrational fears that accompany illness anxiety disorders can cause a lot of stress in your life. You can spend a lot of time looking for symptoms and assume that even the most uninvolved sensation is an indication of something more serious. For example, a headache could cause you to believe that you've got brain tumors, when it's really just an alcohol-related hangover.

Patients with anxiety-related illnesses are extremely vigilant and fearful of any changes that might occur in their bodies, despite being reassured by medical professionals and having negative test results. Anxiety from illness can also lead to other issues, like avoiding social and work activities and having difficulty maintaining close relationships.

If you notice that your anxiety has a negative impact on your life, it's important to seek assistance. Psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy is the most common method of treatment for health anxiety. Sometimes, your doctor will prescribe medication to treat anxiety. To start, see your GP or call the Priory for a world class mental health assessment. Our experts can identify anxiety disorders and offer treatment. Our therapists work with you to help you understand your anxiety and teach you strategies for coping.

2. Muscle moves

Muscle twitching is a different physical sign that is associated with anxiety-related health. These involuntary spasms of the muscles can manifest anywhere on the body as a result from constant stress and nervous stimulation. If someone suffers from significant anxiety about their health, they perceive any unusual or uncomfortable sensations as a sign of serious health issue. They may obsess over their symptoms, 'Google' them or seek excessive reassurance from family and friends. They might also avoid certain people and places in fear of becoming sick.

In some cases, the twitching may increase as anxiety rises. This is because the twitching is caused by the same fight or flight response that occurs when they feel anxious.

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

3. Sweating

Sweating is among the most common physical signs that are associated with anxiety-related health. This condition, whether it's a sheen on your forehead or patches of sweat under your arms, can be extremely troubling. It can lead to further health concerns.

Patients suffering from anxiety disorder, also known as hypochondriasis, are prone to miss the subtle physical symptoms as a sign of a serious condition. They may spend hours Googling symptoms and get a lot of assurances from family members or medical professionals. In some instances, they stay away from certain activities or miss important social opportunities due to their anxiety.

When people are anxious their brain triggers the autonomic nervous system (ANS), commonly 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 focus on your anxiety, try changing your thoughts to something else that inspires peaceful or positive feelings. This can help you realize that most of the time, your body's reactions do not indicate a sign of danger. It can also help you realize that you're usually more concerned about the possibility of contracting a serious illness than about getting strep throat or twisting your ankle.

4. Dizziness

Dizziness, lightheadedness, and feeling faint are typical symptoms associated with anxiety related to health. They are also often a part of a vicious cycle, where anxiety and dizziness reinforce each other, leading to more frequent and severe episodes.

Illness anxiety disorder, previously referred to as hypochondria, is characterized by persistent and excessive anxiety about developing rare or fatal illnesses. This condition can be debilitating and prevents people from living a full and happy life.

If someone suffering from anxiety suffers from a physical sensation, they tend to believe it's a sign of a serious illness. They may then search the internet for information that supports their fears, which may result in more anxiety. They can even be convinced that their doctors aren't treating them with respect and this can fuel their fears.

If not treated the symptoms of illness anxiety disorder can be detrimental on relationships (since friends and family tire of hearing about your multitude of possible ailments each time you hang out) and work (because you are constantly missing out on important projects due to endless doctor visits). Speak to your doctor if you suspect you might have this disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for this type of psychiatric disorder. It helps identify negative thoughts that can lead to anxiety or increase the risk of dizziness and then replace them with healthier ones.

5. Swelling

A common symptom of health anxiety is swollen lymph nodes. This is due to the heightened stress that results from a fear or preoccupation of developing a serious illness. The body can react to stress in a variety of ways, including by increasing production of hormones that cause blood vessels as well as lymph nodes to grow.

While it is normal to worry about one's health from time to time - particularly during this pandemic stress - health anxiety that is severe anxiety physical symptoms (how you can help) can have devastating consequences for the person affected as well as their family and even their job. If you or someone you love suffers from illness anxiety disorder (formerly known as hypochondria) be sure to encourage them to seek out a mental health referral to find out more about managing their symptoms.

Illness anxiety disorder is also known as hypochondria, generalized anxiety or health anxiety disorder. It is characterised by a preoccupation with the idea that you have or are in danger of developing a serious illness, and a anxiety or fear about your health and well-being frequently accompanied by avoidance behavior such as body checking or reassurance seeking behaviour, or both. It could be caused by misinterpreting normal bodily sensations like tingling or a slight color change in your bowel movements as indications of a fatal disease.

6. Heart palpitations

Heart palpitations are a common symptom of health anxiety. You may feel as if your heart is racing or beating out-of-rhythm. Some describe a fluttering, shaking sensation in the chest. If the palpitations what are anxiety attacks symptoms frequent and interfere with everyday activities, your physician might recommend an ECG or heart monitor to determine if you have a medical issue that could trigger them. If they are caused by anxiety, treatment using medication or psychotherapy (talk therapy) could help.

People suffering from health anxiety exhaustion symptoms may think that normal or non-threatening physical symptoms as serious. They are also more likely to suffer from panic attacks which is a sever bout of fear, including chest pain, breathing difficulties sweating, chills, as well as the feeling that you're losing consciousness.

It's natural to worry about your own health, particularly when a pandemic is underway. When a worry becomes an obsessional behavior and becomes a habit, it could lead to a condition known as hypochondria or anxiety about health. Fortunately, you can get treated for this disorder, which is more common than people realize. Treatment options include talking therapy, medications like beta blockers and lifestyle adjustments. You can also try yoga or meditation to calm your body and mind. It is crucial to receive a proper diagnosis.

7. Swelling of the legs

Health anxiety sufferers are often preoccupied by a variety of somatic symptoms and signs and are convinced that they suffer from or are nearing the onset of an illness of serious severity. This leads to a lot of checking behaviors (like frequent medical checks or over-interpretation of everyday bodily sensations), seeking reassurance, and other unhealthy behaviours. It is not uncommon for those suffering from health anxiety to suffer physical symptoms like chest pains, numbness or stomachaches as a result of their excessive worrying.

Health anxiety can be caused by a variety of causes. These include the death or serious illness a loved person has suffered, or witnessing an accident, working in the field of healthcare or being exposed by the media to a lot of negative information on illnesses and diseases. But, it will be considered to be health anxiety if the individual's worries are not in proportion and significantly interfere with their daily functioning and quality of life.

If you or a loved one suffer from health anxiety it is essential to see an expert for a thorough medical evaluation. You may also wish to consider psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) and medication, if you require. This will teach you how to manage your anxiety disorders symptoms and lead an active and healthy life.