Health Anxiety

Introduction to Health Anxiety

 

If you are asking what health anxiety is then there are two likely hoods, either you suffer with it or you know someone who does – hence you need relevant concise and accurate information.  When my husband was ill I found that getting information was a challenge – hence I am now writing.

 

“Health anxiety is an intense worry about your health, usually to the point where it makes you feel very distressed and interferes with day-to-day living.”

Sort of – but not exactly.  This is just one example of many similar definitions.  In reality, health anxiety is based around a very real health issue.  Many articles about health anxiety fail to deal with the fact that underneath the worry is a health issue.  It may just be a common cold, but it still needs to be addressed.

Physical Symptoms

There are many different symptoms which a person will experience with health anxiety, here are just a few which you may recognise:

• Chest pain
• Tingling
• General aches and pains
• Headaches
• Palpitations
• Rapid heart rate
• Trembling
• Sweating
• Numbness
• Tightness in the throat

PLUS the initial ill health which ignited the anxiety.

The most important thing to understand in the definition of health anxiety is that it is a very real worry about a very real illness.  Health anxiety is best treated by dealing and treating the ailment you have and establishing and understanding the worries you have about the complications and possibilities of that illness.  A calm, positive and analytical approach is essential.