Health Anxiety Treatment
Health anxiety is a disorder characterized by anxiety and worry about an illness that is serious. These feelings are often accompanied by an excessive amount of checking and constant requests to be reassured.
The condition, known as hypochondria is caused by a misinterpretation and false beliefs about illnesses. Psychotherapy (or talk-therapy) and medication are two treatment options.
Medicines
Health anxiety is an extremely serious mental illness that hinders the ability to work and interact socially. Fortunately, there are several methods available to help sufferers manage their symptoms and lead an active life. These treatments could include medication, psychotherapy or a combination. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a form of psychotherapy, is frequently used to treat this condition. This kind of therapy teaches you to recognize and challenge harmful thoughts, behaviors and beliefs that cause anxiety. It assists you in finding alternatives to deal with anxieties, such as relaxation techniques and exercise techniques.
You can use medications to treat severe anxiety episodes. Benzodiazepines, such as Klonopin (clonazepam), Xanax (alprazolam) and Valium (diazepam) are fast-acting medications that can offer immediate relief. They focus on the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutryic acids (GABA), and reduce the activity of certain neurons in the brain that are overexcited by anxiety. These drugs shouldn't be taken more than four weeks consecutively in order to avoid becoming addictive.
Antidepressants are prescribed to treat anxiety and depression. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors, like SSRIs, increase levels of serotonin in the brain which can help reduce anxiety and depression. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors which inhibit the reabsorption of both serotonin and norepinephrine are also effective.
People who suffer from health anxiety frequently are convinced that they suffer from medical issues and cannot stop worrying about their symptoms, even when given reassurance by doctors. In certain cases, they also have delusions, like somatic delusions, where they believe that their symptoms are due to their emotional or mental state. They have difficulty eating, sleeping and experiencing physical discomfort. They may also be angry and impatient, and often avoid their family and friends. To help combat anxiety caused by health issues it is recommended to seek out an evaluation from a psychiatrist or psychologist. They can determine whether anxiety is caused by a medical issue and help you set limits on laboratory tests, imaging, and referrals to specialists.
Cognitive therapy for behavioral problems
A little bit of worry about your health is normal, but when it becomes chronic, it can be an important cause of stress. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one the most effective psychological treatment for anxiety-related health issues.
This treatment teaches you new ways to respond to your anxiety in a more effective way. It typically consists of a series of individual sessions that last between 45 and 60 minutes. A typical treatment plan includes 12 to 20 sessions. However, it will depend on the individual requirements of each patient. Through CBT, you'll be taught to recognize your maladaptive behavior such as checking and reassurance seeking. You will learn a variety mindfulness techniques known to decrease anxiety and aid in recovery after an illness.
People who suffer from health anxiety are preoccupied by the fear of developing serious medical conditions. This can result in a variety of maladaptive behavior patterns, including frequent checkups seeking reassurance from doctors or others as well as avoiding people and places that bring back memories of their illness. These behaviors can have a negative impact on relationships and the quality of life over time.
In some cases health-related concerns, anxiety are accompanied by other disorders such as depression or delusional disorder (somatic type). The majority of the time they are rooted in misinterpretation and exaggerated fear of the medical condition.
Health anxiety can be a significant source of anxiety and cause problems with your daily life. When health anxiety becomes a problem, it is essential to seek assistance to get relief and return to living life to the fullest.
There is no single reason for people to experience anxiety or health problems however, some of the most common causes are sudden deaths of family members close to you and difficult illnesses that occur in childhood or adulthood, and/or the history of misdiagnosis for physical issues. It is important to discuss these issues with your therapist in order to know how they contributed to your health anxiety. Together, you can create a plan to break free from the cycle of anxiety and reassurance, and begin to take advantage of the many benefits life has to offer.
Talk therapy
People with health anxiety often misinterpret bodily sensations or overestimate their chances of contracting a particular disease. This constant preoccupation may create stress and affect the person's ability to live a normal daily lives.
A counselor can help you correct your perception of threats and help you find ways to manage your anxiety. You can learn to not avoid situations, searching for answers, and seeking reassurance. These actions only strengthen your anxious beliefs and thoughts. You can also learn to confront unhelpful thoughts and to try to see the world from a more balanced point of view. Medicines can also help in managing symptoms and reducing the degree of discomfort. They are frequently used to treat depression but they can also be beneficial for health anxiety as well.
If your GP diagnoses you with illness anxiety disorder, they may refer you for psychotherapy or prescribe medication to help ease your symptoms. A lot of NHS talking therapies services provide cognitive behavioral therapy for this condition. Alternatively, you can contact an accredited psychologist or counsellor privately to receive psychotherapy. You can locate a psychotherapist who is registered by looking through the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies register or The British Psychological Society directory.
Talk therapy is the best method to treat anxiety-related health issues, since it can help you identify negative or unhelpful behavior and thoughts. Your therapist is likely to employ cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the most effective treatment for anxiety disorders.
CBT helps you recognize and challenge negative or unrealistic beliefs about yourself, your body, and medical procedures. It helps you respond to your anxiety in a healthier manner, such as by avoiding excessive medical testing or reassurance-seeking behavior. In certain instances your therapist may employ exposure therapy, which entails confronting your fears in a secure setting and retraining your brain to respond in a different way.
For instance, Harriet is 36 and has had no serious health issues. However, she is worried that she might have arthritis in her hands due to pain in two of her knuckles. She has visited the doctor and has received reassurance, but her worry is not going away. She begins to avoid activities and limiting her social life because of her fear. A therapist can help her to learn CBT and how to effectively deal with the pain she feels in her hands.
Family Therapy
Health anxiety sufferers spend a lot of time worried about serious illnesses like HIV and dementia, as well as cancer. Their fears about their health may become so severe that it affects their everyday functioning and creates anxiety in their relationships. They are often convinced that any physical sensation is an indication of a serious health issue. They may be able to spend time researching symptoms or seeking reassurance from family and friends. They might also visit multiple doctors for unnecessary tests. This can cause you to feel exhausted and financially stressed, leading to lower quality of life.
Psychotherapy is usually the mainstay in treating health anxiety disorders. This kind of therapy is called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). natural ways to treat anxiety is also possible to use medications alongside psychotherapy to improve outcomes. If prescribed medication is used, small doses are usually administered to prevent adverse effects.
The first step in the family therapy session is a brief intake meeting with the therapist. The meeting will enable the therapist to gain an understanding of how anxiety affects the entire family and what the underlying issues are. Everyone in the family should be involved in the process.
It's a great idea to make an appointment with your primary healthcare professional when you are suffering from anxiety-related health issues that are severe. This will allow you to rule out any medical conditions which could be causing anxiety.
People suffering from health anxiety are more likely to misinterpret common physical sensations like headache, nausea or muscle twitch as indications of a deadly disease. These individuals visit several doctors, only to be told that the symptoms are a result of their imagination. This can cause frustration and discouragement, which may cause them to not seek treatment for their anxiety. In addition to causing emotional and financial anxiety, these patients typically have to miss work or social events to go to doctor appointments. They also have frequent disputes with their loved ones regarding their worries about their health. In some instances, family members may feel that they are being blamed by their loved ones and behave in unhealthy ways.