Have you ever found yourselves googling symptoms even after a small cold spell? If so, you must have found a plethora of conditions that respond to it and then, your mind starts rushing. You wonder about the different possibilities of disease that might grip you and what happens afterwards. Sometimes, this behavior is normal and truly indicates concern towards your wellbeing. But if you find yourselves getting worked up on every single symptom and imagining the worst, then it’s time to consider the possibility of health anxiety. As per some of the renowned psychiatrists in Delhi, it can develop for a variety of reasons. Let’s take a look at its different aspects and how it can be treated.
What exactly is Health Anxiety?
Also known as hypochondriasis, it is a condition where an individual constantly worries about contracting an illness, without any probable cause to support it. Every sneeze and ache becomes an emergency for them. It is not attention seeking behavior; rather it’s a very serious form of anxiety that can render them dysfunctioning in their daily lives. As per a study in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders, this condition affects 4-5% of the general population and often shows up in early adulthood.
Why does it happen, exactly?
Health anxiety can stem from multiple reasons- past trauma, serious illness running in the family, genetic predisposition. It can happen because of one more common reason- exposure to too much content! Yes- Google is not always helpful! As the top psychiatrist in Delhi, Dr. Gorav Gupta urges individuals to consult a specialist first before forming any notions.
How can it be treated?
Just like any other anxiety, health anxiety is also treatable. This is what helps:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy- It is one of the most effective treatments in place for anxiety. It helps you identify unhelpful thought patterns and replace them with more balanced, realistic thinking. According to the British Medical Journal (BMJ) , CBT has shown significant long-term improvements in patients with health anxiety—even more than medication in some cases.
- Medication- SSRIs and SNRIs help mediate and manage severe cases of anxiety.
- Lifestyle symptoms- Mindfulness, regular physical activity and limiting digital activity can provide a way to control the symptoms.
Health anxiety is real, and it deserves real support rather than judgment. Help is available in every manner at Tulasi Healthcare psychiatric rehabilitation centre if you take the first step.
