Health Anxiety: When Normal Body Sensations Feel Dangerous
Health Anxiety Treatment in Ocala, Dunnellon, Gainesville, Tampa, Orlando, West Palm Beach & Miami
A headache becomes a brain tumor.
A fast heartbeat becomes a heart problem.
A strange sensation sends you searching online for symptoms at midnight.
Health anxiety can make ordinary physical sensations feel frightening and urgent.
What Health Anxiety Can Look Like in Ocala, Gainesville, Tampa & Orlando
People experiencing health anxiety may:
Frequently check their body for symptoms
Search symptoms online repeatedly
Ask others for reassurance
Monitor heart rate or blood pressure excessively
Fear serious illness despite reassuring evaluations
Avoid doctors because of fear
Visit doctors repeatedly seeking reassurance
Become highly aware of normal bodily sensations
The relief that follows reassurance is often temporary.
Soon, another sensation appears—and the cycle starts again.
Breaking the Health Anxiety Cycle in Dunnellon, West Palm Beach & Miami
Treatment may involve learning to tolerate uncertainty, decreasing reassurance-seeking behaviors, changing how physical sensations are interpreted, and reducing compulsive checking.
Cognitive behavioral therapy can be particularly helpful for anxiety patterns involving catastrophic thinking.
Medication may also be considered when health anxiety occurs as part of an anxiety disorder or other psychiatric condition.
Physical symptoms should never automatically be assumed to be anxiety. New or concerning symptoms should be evaluated medically when appropriate.
Educational Disclaimer: This article is educational and should not be used to diagnose physical or psychiatric symptoms. Seek appropriate medical care for new or concerning physical symptoms. For a mental health emergency, call 911 or 988.
