Health Anxiety
We all worry about our health at times. Some people who have aches and pains worry that this might be a sign of serious illness. This can make the aches and pains worse. Going to see the doctor and being told that there is 'nothing to worry about' does not make you feel better.
How common is it?
Health anxiety is a common problem. Both men and women get it. People from all walks of life get it. People can be worried about what others think. They might be told it is 'all in their head' so they learn to hide it. You might not be aware of it in other people.
What causes it?
We pick up ideas about our health as we grow up. The illnesses we have, the way our family takes care of us, or perhaps living with someone who has had bad health problems can all help develop the way we think about our health. Sometimes it can be good and bad ideas that we develop.
I get really bad headaches and get worried that I might have a brain tumour. My gran died from a brain tumour that no-one knew she had. I think 'what if that happens to me'. When I think about this I feel butterflies in my tummy, and get sweaty and shaky. I look to my doctor and friends for comfort but it doesn't make me feel any better when they tell me not to worry.
Sarah has thoughts that are not helpful. Her gran died from a brain tumour that nobody noticed until it was too late. Sarah has a belief that she has to pay attention to changes in her body to make sure she does not miss a serious health problem.
What keeps health anxiety going?
People with health anxiety worry that the body symptoms they have might be signs of a serious illness. Worrying can make the symptoms worse. It can lead to what we call the vicious circle of worry. The way you cope with the worry can sometimes feed the vicious circle.
I get pains in my chest and I think I am going to have a heart attack. I have been to see my doctor and he has done some tests and told me that my heart is OK. When I get the pains in my chest I stop doing the things I am doing and take a rest. I have stopped going out and have to plan what I do. Sometimes I have to stay in all day because I can't manage the stairs.
Jim is worried about having another heart attack. He notices his heart rate and is more aware than ever before of any change. He tries to keep his heart rate down by stopping exercise. It is normal to have concerns after a heart attack but Jim needs to be careful that he does not make things worse.
IMPORTANT: There are things that people do that keep their problems going. Things like - avoiding doing things, looking for comfort, checking for symptoms and focusing on your illness do not help.
Seeking comfort
If we worry about our health all the time we sometimes like to ask if things are OK. Usually we hear that they are. But this comfort does not last and the worry comes back, it will be worse if we notice the symptoms again. Seeking comfort only makes us feel better in the short term, but makes it worse in the long term. This is because thinking about your symptoms means you will notice more symptoms. Then you tend not to believe the comfort and support you got. You may then want to look for more comfort
Monitoring and checking physical symptoms
Being aware of body symptoms tends to make us check for more symptoms and become more aware of them. But our bodies change over the day and this is OK. If we are looking for changes we will find them and sometimes this makes us feel more worried about our symptoms
Finding out about illness
It is a good idea to find out about illness. If you pay too much attention to it you might start to notice other changes in your body that are not signs of illness at all. You might then worry that your health is getting worse.
Acting as though you are ill
Trying to look after yourself may result in you behaving as though you were ill and you are likely to become less fit and so have more symptoms
When you avoid things to do with illness
If we avoid things to do with illness, the fears sometimes keep going. They build up and get out of control.
