Is Health Anxiety Normal?
Prior to 2020, we didn’t hear much about health anxiety. Did it exist? Absolutely. But it was one of those things where it wasn’t as common to know anything about it.
Then the pandemic hit.
Not only did it completely transform the entire world, but it changed the way we live as well. Now, almost three years later, we are hearing about people having health anxiety at an increasing rate.
Before we can talk about if health anxiety is normal, it’s important to understand what health anxiety is.
Health Anxiety: What Is It?
Simply put, health anxiety is when someone worries excessively about their health. To the point that it begins to take over their life. Health anxiety is closely related to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder(OCD).
Signs Of Health Anxiety
If you aren’t sure if you or someone else has it, these are a few of the signs to watch out for.
Constantly worrying about health or an intense fear of getting sick
Consistently checking for signs of illness
Doubting the results of medical tests or diagnoses from a doctor
Frequently researching health information and tips online
Avoiding anything that could potentially cause you to catch an illness or cold, especially large crowds
Wondering frequently if something you are feeling is a sign of something more serious going on
In addition, because of excessive worrying, someone with health anxiety will often get headaches and stomachaches pretty frequently. This is one of the body’s natural responses when it is under a lot of stress. However, someone with health anxiety will stay in this cycle of worry when they experience these symptoms.
Is Health Anxiety The Same As Being A Hypochrondiac?
Yes. Formerly, the conditions we described above were all called hypochondria. Now, that term has been retired and it is now either called health anxiety or illness anxiety. However, many people still use the term hypochondria to describe the symptoms above. Sometimes, though, it is used in jest and lightly, even though it is a very real and serious problem to have.
Is Health Anxiety Normal?
It seems we all worry about our health a little more these days. Being in a widespread pandemic for years hasn’t made us feel confident in our health. After all, how often do we hear something like, “I’m starting to feel sick, but I don’t think it’s anything worse.” The implications of “anything worse,” don’t need to be said to describe what the person is referring to.
It’s normal to worry about our health, so it is normal in that sense. I don’t know if I’ve had one client that didn’t have one form of sickness or another over the past 3-6 months. Heck, we’re in the winter of the “Tripledemic”, which refers to a collision of RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus), flu, and COVID-19. However, health anxiety is taking this concern, precaution, or worry to an extreme level.
How To Start Overcoming Health Anxiety
For whatever reason, your health anxiety started and now it is out of control. The good news is, it’s definitely a condition that can be decreased over time with some work.
There are a few things you can try on your own to begin this process of taking control back.
Journaling
Keep a written journal listing the number of times you look up information on illnesses or check yourself for signs. After a week or two, try to decrease the times you do each of these things.
Challenge your thoughts by having one column with the symptoms you are feeling or what you are worried about. In a second column, list out rational explanations for everything.
Slowly Introduce Yourself To Activities Again
If you are avoiding certain activities like shopping or exercising, slowly begin to introduce them to your life again. Go into a store for 10 minutes and then the next week, increase that time to 20 minutes. Likewise for any other activity.
If nothing else, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. As licensed therapists, we understand how challenging this condition can be. Anxiety therapy or OCD Treatment can help.