Different Types of Health Anxiety Disorders
Illness Anxiety Disorder (Hypochondriasis): This involves a preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness. Individuals may misinterpret normal body sensations or minor symptoms as severe diseases.
Somatic Symptom Disorder: This involves excessive focus on physical symptoms such as pain or fatigue, causing significant distress and impacting daily functioning. The physical symptoms are not intentionally produced or feigned.
Panic Disorder with Somatic Symptoms: This involves recurrent panic attacks and persistent concern about having another attack, often leading to physical symptoms like chest pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath, which can be mistaken for serious health conditions.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Health-related OCD involves persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) about health and compulsions (repetitive behaviours) performed to reduce the anxiety caused by these thoughts. Examples include excessive hand washing or seeking reassurance about health.
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) with Health Anxiety: Individuals with GAD may experience excessive worry about various aspects of life, including health. This can lead to a heightened focus on bodily symptoms and frequent medical consultations.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD): This involves an obsessive focus on perceived flaws in physical appearance, leading to excessive health-related behaviours such as seeking plastic surgery or dermatological treatments.
Each of these disorders is a form of anxiety and may also be associated with anxiety and depression. They involve different aspects of health-related anxiety and often require specific therapeutic approaches, including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), medication, or a combination of treatments.
Health Anxiety Symptoms
Health Anxiety Disorder, or Illness Anxiety Disorder, involves various symptoms:
- Excessive worry about having a serious illness
- Misinterpreting minor physical symptoms as severe
- Frequent body checking for signs of illness
- Repeatedly seeking medical reassurance despite normal results
- Avoiding medical appointments due to fear of diagnosis
- Significant distress impacting daily life and functioning
- Difficulty concentrating on anything other than health concerns
- Heightened sensitivity to bodily sensations
People with health anxiety may also experience symptoms of anxiety, including persistent health worries and concerns. These symptoms often lead to impaired social, occupational, and personal activities, causing chronic and fluctuating anxiety.
Causes of Health Anxiety
Genetics: A family history of anxiety disorders may increase susceptibility.
Personality Traits: Traits such as perfectionism and high conscientiousness may contribute.
Past Experiences: History of significant illness in oneself or loved ones can trigger health anxiety.
Cognitive Factors: Dysfunctional beliefs about health and catastrophic thinking can play a role.
Stress: High levels of stress or life changes can exacerbate anxiety about health.
Health Information: Excessive consumption of health-related information can heighten concerns.
These factors often interact, leading to persistent and excessive worry about health.
Treatment for Health Anxiety
Are you experiencing health anxiety and need some help? Please get in touch with Donna Morgan today. We offer effective treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), psychotherapy, and self-help strategies.
Our approach includes learning to approach anxious situations differently and learning to tolerate uncertainty. Reassurance from doctors, going to the doctor, medical tests, and support from a mental health professional are also integral parts of our comprehensive treatment plan for managing and overcoming health anxiety.
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