Health Anxiety: How to Manage These Side Effects Safely

“Trust yourself. You’ve survived a lot, and you’ll survive whatever is coming.” 

- Robert Tew

It is believed that approximately 4-5% of people have a health anxiety disorder. Some experts believe this number may be closer to 12% and can impact men and women equally. In 2020, Kentucky had a population of 4,505,836. This means at the low end, there were 180,233 Kentuckians with a health anxiety disorder. At the high end, that number is 540,700. A health anxiety disorder can create numerous concerns in a person’s life and make living challenging. 

At SUN Behavioral Health Kentucky, we understand how frustrating it can be to observe someone you love bounce from doctor to doctor, searching anxiously for answers that don’t seem to exist. Or perhaps they are reluctant to see a doctor for any symptoms because they fear a life-threatening diagnosis. By better understanding health anxiety, you can learn how to get them the help they need. 

Health anxiety disorder is also known as illness anxiety disorder. In the past, it has been called hypochondriasis or hypochondria. However, these terms are no longer used as they can carry the weight of stigma. This disorder is when someone has an excessive fear that they are or will become seriously sick despite no physical symptoms. 

People with this disorder may also believe minor symptoms or ordinary body functions are a sign of severe illness. Things such as muscle twitching or fatigue may create severe anxiety in the person with this disorder to the point that it causes distress in their life. This disorder often increases in severity as someone ages or is exposed to stressful times. 

Typically, people who have this disorder will have one of two variations: care-seeking and care-avoidant. Care-seeking occurs when people are worried about their health to the point they frequently make appointments or change doctors to seek multiple treatments or investigations. Care-avoidant health anxiety occurs when someone avoids medical care. They believe that if they visit the doctor or receive a test, they will be diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. They might feel it is better not to know this information at all. 

When it comes to health anxiety, physical conditions do not often develop due to the anxiety. They can still have anxiety-related symptoms such as heart palpitations. This disorder makes it challenging for someone to function daily. They may experience concerns in their relationships and family as the excessive worries over their health may result in frustrations and conflict amongst those who care about them. 

People with health anxiety may also experience concerns with their work performance or rack up excessive debts from getting medical tests done. Eventually, it may result in financial worries due to missed work days and the extensive medical bills they have collected from frequent health care visits. 

People may develop health anxiety for several reasons. One of those reasons is if they had a parent who excessively worried about one’s physical health growing up. In turn, it may result in them having fears surrounding their health. It may also result from beliefs that any uncomfortable experience is a sign of a severe disorder. Because of that, any normal body sensation becomes evidence of a medical concern. 

For some people, past experiences lead to health anxiety. If they had a severe medical disorder when they were a child, they might have an intense worry in the future. 

Though it can develop in adolescence, most people will develop this disorder in adulthood. If left untreated, it may worsen with age, and older adults with this condition may fear losing their memory. 

Another major risk factor is having generalized anxiety disorder. If someone is managing an untreated anxiety disorder, they may begin to focus on worrying about their health. In turn, their generalized anxiety will have morphed into a health anxiety disorder. 

Other risk factors may result in the development of this disorder, in addition to age. These may include significant life stress, a threat of an illness that turned out not to be serious, or excessive health-related internet use. Having any of these risk factors does not mean someone will develop health anxiety, but it may increase their chances. 

Ultimately, the most effective treatment combination differs for each individual, depending on their needs. Attending a treatment program is the best way for people with this disorder to find a sense of relief and begin living without worry. This includes an assessment from a healthcare professional and involves therapy, medications, or a combination of both. 

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common therapy used. This therapy focuses on treating the person’s beliefs by introducing skills to make managing this disorder more effective. It also teaches them what their normal body functions are, which eases their fears when they believe there might be a concern. Other therapies used during the treatment of this condition include mindfulness, group therapy, and acceptance therapy. 

Medications may also be used during treatment for health anxiety. These often include antidepressants. While many people will use a combination of both medications and therapy, it is not a requirement for someone to be on both. 

A health anxiety disorder feels overwhelming for everyone involved. For loved ones, it may feel frustrating to watch someone you love undergo multiple tests and treatments for a disorder that doesn’t seem to exist. For those with the disorder, it is distressing. Treatment can help. 

At SUN Behavioral Health Kentucky, we provide anxiety treatment for adolescents and adults. Anxiety comes in multiple forms that make it challenging for someone to function in their daily lives. Health anxiety follows the same path. People will learn skills that contribute to a healthier life through proper anxiety treatment.

SUN Behavioral Health Kentucky Solves Unmet Needs in Erlanger. Our no-cost care assessments allow you to meet with a representative working with you and your doctors. They will design a treatment plan that best suits your unique needs. For any questions or to get started on treatment today, contact us at 859-429-5188. 

What is the best therapy for health anxiety?

The best therapy varies when it comes to treating health anxiety. The most commonly used therapy is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

What is the best medication for health anxiety?

The best medication to use for health anxiety varies. Antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are the most utilized. This does not mean your doctor won’t prescribe something else, if at all.