Health Anxiety Treatment
Health anxiety is a condition that is characterized by a high level of worry and anxiety about having or experiencing a serious medical condition. These feelings are often accompanied by excessive checking behaviors and repeated demands to be reassured.
Illness anxiety -- sometimes known as hypochondria triggered by the misinterpretation of body sensations as well as beliefs about disease. Psychotherapy (or talk-therapy) and medication are two options for treating the condition.
Medications
Health anxiety is a serious condition that limits one's ability to work and interact with other people. Fortunately, there are many options available to help patients manage their symptoms and lead a full life. The treatments can consist of medication, psychotherapy or a combination of both. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy, is frequently used to treat this disorder. This type of therapy can help you recognize and confront harmful beliefs, behavior, and thoughts that contribute to anxiety. It also helps you find different ways to manage your anxiety, like exercise and relaxation techniques.
The use of medications can be as a short-term treatment for anxiety attacks that are severe. Benzodiazepines, such as Klonopin (clonazepam), Xanax (alprazolam) and Valium (diazepam) are quick-acting drugs that can provide immediate relief. They affect the neurotransmitter gamma aminobutryic acid (GABA) and reduce the activity of specific neurons in the brain that are stimulated by anxiety. These medications should not be used for more than four weeks at a time, as they can become addictive and lose their effectiveness after that time.
Antidepressants are often prescribed to treat anxiety and depression. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors like SSRIs, increase serotonin levels in the brain. This may reduce anxiety and depression. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, that block the reabsorption of serotonin as well as norepinephrine can also be effective.
People with health anxiety often have a strong conviction that they suffer from medical issues and can't forget about their symptoms, even when given reassurance by doctors. In some cases, they also have delusions, like somatic delusions, where they believe that their symptoms are linked to their mental or emotional state. They have difficulty eating or sleeping, and are experiencing physical discomfort. They can also be irritable and impatient and may avoid their family and friends. To manage anxiety related to health it is recommended to seek a diagnosis from a psychiatrist or psychologist. They can help you determine whether the anxiety is due to an illness or medical condition and establish limits on lab tests, imaging and referrals.
Cognitive therapy for behavioral problems
A little concern about your health is normal, but when this gets out of hand, it could be a major cause of distress. Fortunately, cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective psychological treatments for anxiety related to health.
This treatment teaches you new ways to respond to your anxiety in a more productive way. The treatment usually consists of multiple sessions that last between 45 and 60 minutes. A typical treatment plan includes 12 to 20 sessions. However, it will depend on the specific requirements of every patient. In CBT, you will learn to identify your maladaptive behaviors such as reassurance-seeking and checking. You will also be taught to apply a variety of mindfulness techniques that have been proven to decrease anxiety and promote healing from illnesses.
People who suffer from health anxiety are preoccupied by the fear of developing serious medical conditions. This can lead to an array of unproductive behaviors such as frequent examinations, seeking out reassurance from doctors or other people and staying away from places and people who make them think of illnesses. These actions can have a negative impact on relationships and daily life in the long run.
In some instances, health anxiety is accompanied by delusional disorders or depression (somatic). However, most times, they are based on the misinterpretation of bodily sensations as well as over-inflated fears of the possibility of suffering from a medical malady.
Health anxiety can be a major cause of stress and can interfere with your daily routine. When health anxiety becomes a problem, it is essential to seek help to get relief and return to living life to the fullest.
There is no single reason for people to experience anxiety or health problems but some of the most common reasons are sudden deaths of close relatives, difficult illnesses experienced in the early years or later, and/or the history of misdiagnosis for physical ailments. It is crucial to discuss these issues with your therapist to understand what has contributed to the emergence of your health anxiety. Then together you can develop strategies to break free from the cycle of anxiety and reassurance and start to experience more of what life has to offer.
Talk therapy
People with health anxiety often misinterpret bodily sensations or overestimate their likelihood of contracting a specific illness. This constant preoccupation can cause distress and prevent the person from functioning normally in their daily lives.
A therapist can help you understand your perception of threats and help discover healthy ways to manage anxiety. You can stop avoiding situations, checking for answers, or seeking comfort. These behaviors only reinforce your anxiety-inducing beliefs and thoughts. You can also be taught to challenge unhelpful thoughts and to try to view the world from a more balanced viewpoint. The use of medications can help manage symptoms and ease discomfort. They are often employed to treat depression, but can also be beneficial for anxiety-related health issues.
If your GP diagnoses an illness anxiety disorder, they may recommend psychotherapy or prescribe medication to reduce your symptoms. A lot of NHS talking therapies services offer cognitive behavioral therapy for this condition. You can also contact a psychologist or counsellor accredited to provide psychotherapy in private. You can search the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies Register or the British Psychological Society Directory to locate a registered psychologist.
Talk therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety-related health issues, since it can help you identify negative or destructive behavior and thoughts. Your therapist is likely to employ cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), the most effective treatment for anxiety disorders.
CBT teaches you to recognize and challenge negative or false beliefs about your body, yourself and medical procedures. It also teaches you to practice healthier ways of dealing with your anxieties, such as not undergoing too many medical tests or reassurance-seeking. In some cases, exposure therapy is used by your therapist. It involves confronting your fears and training the mind to respond differently.
For example, Harriet is 36 and has had no serious health problems. She is concerned that she is suffering from arthritis because of pain in two knuckles. She has seen doctors and received assurance but her worry persists. She starts to avoid activities and restricts her social activities due to her fear. A therapist can help her to learn CBT and how to deal effectively with the anxiety she feels in her hands.
Family Therapy
Patients suffering from health anxiety spend a large portion of their time worrying about serious illnesses such as HIV or cancer, or even dementia. The anxiety they have about their health may become so severe that it impedes everyday functioning and creates stress in their relationships. They might believe that any physical sensation could be a sign of illness. People with this condition may spend a lot of time looking for symptoms, seeking assurance from family members and friends or visiting numerous doctors for unnecessary tests. This could cause you to be exhausted, financially stressed and have lower quality of life.
Psychotherapy is often the primary method for treating health anxiety disorders. This type of therapy is called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The combination of psychotherapy and medication can be used together to boost results. If prescribed medication is used for treatment, small doses are typically given to avoid side effects.
The first step in a family therapy session is to conduct an initial conversation with the therapist. This meeting will allow the therapist to get a better understanding of how the anxiety affects the entire family and what the root issues are. It is essential that all family members be involved in this process.
It's a great idea to make an appointment with your primary healthcare provider when you are suffering from anxiety-related health issues that are severe. This will allow you rule out any medical conditions that could be responsible for anxiety.
People with health anxieties often misinterpret physical symptoms like nausea, headache or muscle twitch as signs of a deadly illness. These individuals often visit many doctors and are told that their symptoms are caused by their own imaginations. This can lead to frustration and discouragement and cause them to be less inclined to seek treatment for their anxiety. In anxiety treatment strategies to causing financial and emotional anxiety, these patients typically are unable to work or attend social activities to go to doctor appointments. They also often have disagreements with their spouses regarding their worries about their health. In some instances, family members feel that they are being blamed by their loved ones and begin to behave in unhealthy ways.