Why am I constantly worried about my health?

You may have health anxiety if you: constantly worry about your health. frequently check your body for signs of illness, such as lumps, tingling or pain. are always asking people for reassurance that you're not ill.

What does it mean when you constantly worry about your health?

Illness anxiety disorder, sometimes called hypochondriasis or health anxiety, is worrying excessively that you are or may become seriously ill. You may have no physical symptoms.

What triggers health anxiety?

Symptoms and Causes

Childhood trauma, such as child abuse or neglect. Extreme stress. Health anxieties or other anxiety disorders in your family. Childhood illness or serious illness in your family during childhood.

Can health anxiety cause real symptoms?

Symptoms of anxiety produce very real physical symptoms: Dizziness, stomachaches, rapid heartbeat, tingling in the hands and feet, muscle tension, jitteriness, chest pressure, and the list goes on. These symptoms add fuel to the fire.

How do I stop obsessing over my health anxiety?

5 Ways to Stop the Health Anxiety Cycle

How can I stop constant health anxiety?

Can health anxiety go away?

Psychotherapy. The most common treatment for health anxiety is psychotherapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT can be very effective in treating health anxiety because it teaches you skills that can help you manage your disorder. You can participate in CBT individually or in a group.

How do you break the cycle of health anxiety?

How do I get out of hypochondria?

How long does health anxiety last?

From the time of diagnosis, an anxiety disorder can last from a few months to many years. Most people will have symptoms of an anxiety disorder for a long time before seeking professional help, sometimes up to 15 years³.

What is the root cause of hypochondria?

Hypochondriasis may occur in an individual who had a childhood illness or had a sibling with a childhood illness. May be related to another psychiatric disorder, such as anxiety or obsessive compulsive disorder. Hypochondriasis may develop from, or be a sign of, one of these other disorders.

Will hypochondria go away?

Hypochondria is a real and entirely treatable disorder. If you recognize any of the symptoms listed above, help is available to you. Consider speaking with a therapist to help work through these medically-based anxieties.

Can you suddenly develop hypochondria?

Considered a somatoform disorder, or a psychological disorder with physical symptoms, hypochondria occurs equally in men and women and can develop at any age, but most often begins in early adulthood. Although it doesn't seem to have a genetic link, the mental disorder may be triggered by life events.

Is health anxiety a mental illness?

Health anxiety is an anxiety condition that is often housed within the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) spectrum of disorders. Those affected by health anxiety have an obsessional preoccupation with the idea that they are currently (or will be) experiencing a physical illness.

What not to say to a hypochondriac?

Is health anxiety OCD?

Health anxiety is not a form of OCD, but it can look similar. Illness anxiety disorder and somatic symptom disorder, however, have very different diagnosis criteria compared to OCD. Both health anxiety and OCD are treatable. These conditions can be managed through therapy and self-care strategies.

Does worrying about your health make it worse?

But the fact is, worrying can affect the body in ways that may surprise you. When worrying becomes excessive, it can lead to feelings of high anxiety and even cause you to be physically ill.

How do I know if I am a hypochondriac?

Hypochondriac Symptoms

Being preoccupied with having a serious illness because of body symptoms that last for at least six months. Having a history of going to multiple doctors (also called “shopping around” for a doctor) to find one who will diagnosis the serious illness.

What illnesses do hypochondriacs worry about?

They tend to fear severe illnesses like cancer or HIV, rather than more common health ailments like strep throat or a cold. It's also common for an affected person to regularly scan their body for any feelings or sensations that could be worrisome.

Do hypochondriacs get sick more often?

A complicated part of being human: living with the knowledge of your own impending death.

Can your mind trick you into feeling symptoms?

When physical symptoms are caused or made worse by your mental state, it's called psychosomatic. Many people believe that psychosomatic symptoms aren't real — but they are, in fact, very real symptoms that have a psychological cause, Jones says.

What is the best medication for hypochondria?

Antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may help treat illness anxiety disorder. Medications to treat mood or anxiety disorders, if present, also may help. Talk with your doctor about medication options and the possible side effects and risks.

Do hypochondriacs pretend to be sick?

People who have hypochondria actually believe they are ill, but do not manipulate test results. People who malinger pretend to be ill to gain some sort of benefit, such as avoiding military duty or trying to obtain compensation.

What percent of people are hypochondriacs?

In the general population, approximately 0.26–8.5% have hypochondriasis. 4–6% of medical outpatients meet criteria for hypochondriasis, suggesting that a large percentage of those affected present for medical evaluation.