The internet provides information on different diseases, their symptoms, and treatment. But have you ever felt paranoid after reading a few articles about a condition? Have you ever seen a healthy person diagnosed with severe disease and started questioning your health? It may have happened to you before, and it is entirely normal, which is how the human brain works.
However, this worry becomes constant for some people and takes over their lives. Every abnormality they notice in their body makes them feel like they have severe disease. This constant paranoia is called illness anxiety disorder. Read on to distinguish this condition from normal worrying, how it can affect your life, and how it is treated.
What is illness anxiety disorder?
Previously known as hypochondria or hypochondriasis, illness anxiety disorder is more commonly known as health anxiety. Constant, irrational, and obsessive fear about suffering from a serious, often deadly health condition characterises this condition. This worry might be baseless in some cases, while in others, it may stem from factors such as a persistent cough, pain, or fatigue.
For instance, you might notice a rash on your skin and worry that it is a symptom of skin cancer. You might have a headache for a few hours and begin wondering if you have a brain tumour.
In this condition, you would do one of two things. Either you will obsessively seek medical help and undergo diagnostic tests, or you will entirely avoid medical attention, even when necessary, out of fear of being diagnosed with a severe illness.
What are the symptoms of illness anxiety disorder?
The symptoms of illness anxiety disorder begin to manifest during early or mid-adulthood. They often surface when you are going through a tough patch in your life, have recently recovered from an illness, or have seen a close one suffer from a deadly ailment. These symptoms often result from childhood trauma or a personality trait of worrying too much.
It can be difficult to distinguish when you are naturally worried about your health and when you are hyperfixating on irrational and unfounded anxiety. Hence, it is best to know the symptoms of illness anxiety disorder. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Constantly worrying that you are ill
- Getting alarmed by minor fluctuations in your health
- Worrying about acquiring a hereditary medical condition
- Always seeking medical advice and undergoing tests or avoiding any medical attention altogether
- Mentally exaggerating symptoms of simple illnesses
- Avoiding certain people or places due to fear of catching an illness
- Obsessively talking to others about your health and minor symptoms
- Anxiety about health even after receiving negative test results
- Continuously worrying about a medical condition even after the doctor has overruled it
- Binge-surfing the internet about the illness you think you have and comparing your symptoms with other serious diseases
- Extreme anxiety about being ill interferes with your daily and social life.
Effects of illness anxiety disorder
Anxiety over health can be challenging to deal with, both for the individual and their close ones. Some possible effects of illness anxiety disorder are as follows:
- Your obsessive behaviours might irritate your close ones, and their ignorance of your worries might frustrate you, harming your relationship.
- Undergoing regular medical tests and scheduling doctor appointments may affect your financial status.
- Constantly worrying about catching an illness can hold you back from living life to the fullest.
- Increased chances of acquiring other personality and behavioural disorders like paranoid personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder may make you nervous, jittery, and anxious in the long run.
- Experiencing constant worry and suspicion might lead to depression.
How do we overcome illness anxiety disorder?
Illness anxiety disorder can be distressing and draining for an individual. If you are wondering how to overcome the disease, these steps may help you out:
- Recognise the symptoms
- Talk to close ones about how you are feeling and any emotional or mental stress you might be going through
- Try relaxation techniques like yoga, walking, or reading whenever you feel stressed.
- Practice meditation to gain better control over your mind and thoughts
- Keep your mind and body busy with exercises and hobbies
- Avoid consumption of alcohol and drugs.
Treatment of illness anxiety disorder
After a healthcare professional diagnoses illness anxiety disorder, they may prescribe the following treatment options:
1. Psychotherapy
It involves opening up to your therapist about things causing you emotional and mental stress. Psychological treatment for this condition also involves counselling and other therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy, exposure therapy, and behavioural stress management.
2. Medications
Medications for treating illness anxiety disorder include antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Your doctor may prescribe other drugs to manage mood swings and anxiety.
Conclusion
Illness anxiety disorder can interfere with your daily life and cause much distress. However, if you recognise the symptoms at the right time and seek professional help, there are greater chances of recovery. Along with psychological therapies and medications, meditation, a healthy lifestyle, and taking care of your mental health are also effective in helping you overcome illness anxiety disorder.
Unlock Exclusive Benefits with Subscription
- Premium Resources
- Thriving Community
- Unlimited Access
- Personalised Support
