HEALTH ANXIETY

Health anxiety, also known as illness anxiety disorder or hypochondria, is a condition where a person constantly worries about having a serious illness, even if there is little or no medical evidence to support it. People with health anxiety are often hyper-focused on their bodies and may misinterpret normal sensations, like a headache, a stomach ache, or a slight tingle, as signs of dangerous health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, or neurological disorders. Despite reassurance from doctors and normal test results, the fear remains and keeps coming back. This ongoing fear creates a cycle of worry and anxiety that becomes difficult to break, affecting a person’s daily life and peace of mind.

Health anxiety shows up through both emotional and physical symptoms. Emotionally, a person may be overwhelmed by constant worry about being seriously ill. They may frequently check their body for signs of disease, such as feeling for lumps or monitoring their heart rate. Repeatedly seeking reassurance from doctors, friends, or family is common, but it never feels enough to calm the fear. Others might spend hours researching illnesses online, which often increases their anxiety instead of relieving it. Physically, anxiety itself can create symptoms like a racing heart, muscle tension, stomach issues, dizziness, or sweating. Unfortunately, these real physical sensations can reinforce the fear that something is wrong, even if the cause is anxiety itself.

Living with health anxiety can feel mentally exhausting and emotionally draining. Imagine having a small headache and immediately thinking it might be a brain tumour. You can’t stop thinking about it, and even after seeing a doctor who tells you it’s nothing serious, your mind keeps saying, “What if they missed something?” This fear might keep you up at night, affect your focus at work, or make you avoid certain situations. Over time, you might start feeling ashamed, frustrated, or even isolated, because others may not understand how real and scary the fear feels. The worry becomes a constant background noise that interferes with your ability to relax and enjoy life.

Managing health anxiety on your own is possible if the symptoms are mild to moderate. The first step is to become aware of the cycle—fear, checking, temporary relief, and then fear again—and work toward breaking it. Avoiding excessive Google searches about health conditions and reducing how often you check your body can help. Challenging your thoughts by asking yourself questions like “Is there real evidence for this?” or “Am I jumping to the worst conclusion?” can begin to shift the fear. Learning to sit with uncertainty is another key part—no one can be 100% certain about their health all the time, and accepting that helps reduce the pressure to always be reassured. Relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and exercise are helpful tools to calm the body and mind. Staying active and engaged in hobbies or social activities can also shift your focus away from constant health monitoring.

Professional help is important when health anxiety starts interfering with everyday life—when it affects your work, sleep, relationships, or leads to constant doctor visits and worry that never seems to go away. If you find yourself unable to control the fear or compulsively searching for reassurance, a mental health professional can help. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a proven treatment for health anxiety. It helps you understand how your thoughts influence your feelings and behaviours, and teaches healthier ways to respond to fears. In some cases, medications like antidepressants (SSRIs) may be prescribed to reduce anxiety levels. Remember, health anxiety is a common and treatable condition. Seeking help is not a weakness—it’s a step toward a more peaceful, balanced, and worry-free life.