How To Tell If You Have Health Or Illness Anxiety
It's natural to worry about your health from time to time, especially when considering hypochondriasis, medical conditions, illnesses, or cancer.
However, worry or anxiety about your health and hypochondriasis may be a problem when your concerns are excessive, disproportionate to the realistic likelihood of having a medical condition, and the stress or worry is persistent despite reassurance from a health practitioner. Suppose you find yourself experiencing excessive worry about your health all the time. In that case, even when there may be no cause to, you may be suffering from health anxiety, also known as hypochondriasis.
What are the symptoms of health anxiety?
People with health anxiety tend to be fixated on the idea that they or someone close to them is seriously ill, even when there is little or no evidence to support their fears. They often seek out medical attention and undergo multiple tests to ease their anxiety. If you're concerned that you might be experiencing health anxiety, here are some signs to look for:
Constantly concerned about your health.
You routinely inspect your body for indicators of sickness, such as lumps, tingling, or pain.
You are constantly seeking reassurance that you are not unwell.
You are also concerned that a doctor or medical tests may have missed something.
You obsessively search for health information on the internet or in the media.
You avoid everything related to severe sickness, such as medical TV shows.
How can I treat health anxiety?
The goal of treatment is to help you manage your health anxiety and enhance your capacity to function in everyday life. Psychotherapy, commonly known as talk therapy, can help with illness anxiety disorder. Medication is sometimes added (in discussion with a medical professional such as a GP or psychiatrist).
Psychotherapy, particularly cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), can be a helpful treatment since physical symptoms can be linked to emotional distress and health worries. CBT aims to help identify and alter unhelpful and/or irrational health-related thoughts, as well as reduce behaviours (such as excessive checking and reassurance seeking) that may be maintaining illness anxiety.
Related Article: Why Perfectionism Might Be Holding You Back
Some ways CBT may help address illness anxiety is by:
Reducing the frequency with which you inspect your body for indicators of disease and seek reassurance.
Improving your day-to-day functioning at home, work, in relationships and in social situations.
Identifying and challenging worries and ideas about having a significant medical condition.
Evaluating problematic thoughts to gain new perspectives on your physical sensations.
Learning to recognise how your fears or worries affect you and your behaviour.
Shifting how you react to your body's sensations and symptoms.
Reducing avoidance of situations and activities by learning ways to cope with and tolerate worry and stress.
Other therapies, such as behavioural stress management and exposure therapy, may also be beneficial.
If you suffer from health or illness-related anxiety, always remember that there is support you can access. Don't hesitate to contact ELD Psychology if you want to learn more about how to address illness anxiety.
Meet Your Clinical Psychologists In Newcastle
Dr Emma Doolan is a Clinical Psychologist based in Newcastle. With a collaborative and evidence-based approach, she helps clients overcome various challenges such as anxiety, depression, stress, and trauma.
Emma is experienced in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and other modalities like schema therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and compassion-focused therapy. She holds a PhD in clinical psychology and has completed her registration as a clinical psychologist from AHPRA. Emma is a member of several professional associations, including ACPA, APS, AACBT, and APN.
Paige Cornell is a clinical psychologist in Newcastle who has experience in therapeutic modalities such as Motivational Interviewing, CBT, Schema Therapy, DBT, and ACT. She focuses on building a solid therapeutic relationship and tailoring treatment to each individual. Paige has experience in private practice, NGOs, and forensic settings.
She works with a diverse range of mental health issues, including anxiety, mood disorders, PTSD, relationship problems, substance abuse, and offending behaviours. Paige is particularly interested in helping LGBTQI+ individuals and those dealing with trauma and substance abuse. She is fully registered and endorsed as a clinical psychologist and a board-approved supervisor for psychologists. Paige is a member of ACPA and APS, holding a Master's in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor's in Psychological Science (Honours).
Taylah Armstrong is a Clinical Psychologist in Newcastle. She focuses on developing solid therapeutic relationships to assist individuals in enhancing their well-being and achieving their goals. Taylah is skilled in treating various concerns such as anxiety, stress, mood disorders, trauma, and eating disorders.
She utilises evidence-based therapies like CBT, DBT, and ACT. Taylah has worked in public healthcare, primary care, and education sectors. She is fully registered and endorsed as a clinical psychologist by AHPRA and holds a Master's and Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Newcastle.
Paige Whitfield is a clinical psychologist in Newcastle with experience in private and public health settings. She collaborates with health professionals, families, and schools to provide evidence-based treatments like CBT, Narrative Therapy, and ACT for various issues. Paige has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology (Honours) and a Master's in Clinical Psychology. She is fully registered and endorsed as a clinical psychologist and is a member of APS and ACPA.
Dr Kaitlin Fitzgerald is a clinical psychologist in Newcastle who takes a collaborative and client-centred approach to therapy. She creates a warm and relaxed environment for clients, aiming to make therapy sessions comfortable and even enjoyable. Kaitlin holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from the University of Newcastle. In addition to her private practice at ELD Psychology, she also works in public mental health treating adults with various mental health issues.
Kaitlin has experience working with a wide range of concerns, such as anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties. She is skilled in evidence-based therapies like CBT, Schema Therapy, DBT, and ACT. Kaitlin is fully registered as a clinical psychologist with AHPRA and is approved to supervise provisional and registered psychologists.
Eliza Newton is a person-centred Clinical Psychologist dedicated to helping clients explore their deeper selves. She tailors her approach to each client, using psychodynamic therapy for self-exploration or structured techniques like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, and Schema Therapy. Eliza focuses on individuals overcoming childhood trauma, including Complex PTSD, and helps those with ADHD develop organisational and emotional well-being strategies. With experience in private practice, inpatient settings, and psychiatric rehabilitation, she addresses challenges from anxiety and mood disorders to severe mental illness.
Eliza holds a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from the University of Newcastle and a Master of Clinical Psychology from Western Sydney University. She is registered as a Clinical Psychologist with AHPRA and is a member of AAPi and ACPA.
Disclaimer
The content provided on this blog is intended for Australian audiences and is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered as professional psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information shared here is based on general knowledge and experience in the field of psychology, but it may not be applicable to your specific situation.
Always seek the advice of your psychologist or other qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a psychological condition or treatment. Never disregard professional psychological advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog.
If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor, or dial 000 immediately. This blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
The opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of any affiliated organisations or institutions.