Health anxiety is an overly extreme and persistent worry about possibly acquiring a serious physical ailment. It is sometimes also called hypochondriasis and in historical times was commonly known as melancholia. This condition is characterized by an individual’s fear of acquiring a physical ailment that can be related to some known condition. This anxiety can have very real physical symptoms in the form of stomach pain, nausea, dizziness, pain in the back, etc.
Health anxiety can be a difficult condition to treat because it is often the symptom of a deeper underlying disorder. Many people who suffer from it are put on antibiotics by their doctors or receive therapy in an attempt to treat the actual disorder. Unfortunately, these attempts to treat the symptoms do not eliminate the problem and instead only treat the symptoms. So even when the symptoms go away, they return quickly when the situation occurs again.
One type of health anxiety include general health concerns regarding bodily symptoms such as headaches, stomach pain, indigestion, etc. Another type of health anxiety include fears of getting a serious illness or disease. People who experience these types of health worries have a very real and realistic fear that they may be experiencing a serious illness that will end their lives prematurely. These health worries can actually keep them from getting proper medical care and can lead to major health complications if the disorder becomes severe. In addition, some health anxiety include fears of dying due to a severe illness or a serious injury.
There are two types of health anxiety – the cognitive type and the sensory type. The cognitive type is the result of learned responses and behaviors. For example, many people who experience chronic health anxiety report having had reactions to major events that have impacted their lives. These behaviors and reactions can include intense shock and grief following the loss of a loved one, for example. Some people who suffer from this type of health anxiety are afraid that they may be losing control while driving a car, going up an elevator, or sitting in a crowded supermarket. Others fear that they may faint or have a heart attack because of the way they feel about their bodies.
Sensory health anxiety is caused by abnormal physical reactions to everyday situations. For example, if you worry that your house will burn down while you are inside, you might be suffering from sensory health anxiety. The symptoms could include constant worrying about your home burning down, frequent panic attacks, chest pains, dizziness, shaking, sweating, nausea, etc. If you have any of these symptoms, you should contact a medical professional immediately and determine what is causing the symptoms.
Both types of anxiety can be treated through cognitive behavioral therapy and medications such as antidepressants or anticonvulsants. However, the best method of treatment that is effective for most people is psychotherapy. There are many ways to treat anxiety disorders, including medications, relaxation techniques, lifestyle changes, and psychotherapy.
When you start to worry about symptoms like stomach cramps or back pain, for example, you begin to incorporate those feelings into your daily life. For example, if you worry that you are going to experience another bout of diarrhea, you will incorporate that thinking into your daily life. As a result, you may experience that feeling over again. This is a form of biofeedback. You are helping your body sensations get the signal that something isn’t right, but you are also unintentionally sending more energy towards those problems.
For example, when you feel sick or have flu-like symptoms, you should relax and take some deep breaths. That will help to lower your blood pressure and ease your body sensations. You can also check into a health center for additional information or to speak with a mental health professional about using medication to relieve your symptoms. However, if you feel like your sickness is out of control, you need to seek out medical attention. Getting the appropriate mental health treatment can ensure you get the relief that you need, whether you choose medication or talk to a professional about other options for relieving your illness.