January 22, 2024
If you constantly find yourself worrying about having a disease, or believe every blemish on your skin may be a sign of skin cancer, you could be experiencing health anxiety. People with health anxiety are preoccupied with the belief that they either have a serious illness or are in danger of getting one.
There are two types of health anxiety: somatic symptom disorder and Illness anxiety disorder.
Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) affects five to seven percent of the population. People with SSD have physical symptoms that are common with many conditions, but focus on them so obsessively that they have trouble functioning. It usually begins by age 30 and can affect children, adolescents, and adults.
The most common physical symptom of this type of healthy anxiety is pain. Other symptoms include fatigue and shortness of breath. The symptoms can range from mild to severe and may or may not be attributable to a physical condition.
The problems associated with SSD usually don’t stem from its physical symptoms, but from the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors they trigger. People with it may:
• Constantly worry about illness
• Think normal physical sensations are threatening and/or signs of severe illness
• Fear that their symptoms are serious, despite evidence otherwise
• Repeatedly check their bodies for abnormalities
• Make frequent visits to health care providers that don’t relieve their concerns
• Feel that the treatments they receive are inadequate
• Not respond to or have extreme side effects from medications
• Have more severe impairments than are common from medical conditions
Potential causes of SSD include:
• Genetic and environmental factors
• A negative mindset, which may influence how a person perceives symptoms and illness
• Problems processing emotions, which cause an increased focus on physical symptoms
Risk factors for SSD include:
• Anxiety or depression
• Having a health condition or undergoing recovery
• A family history of a disease or serious illness
• Intense stress
• Past trauma, particularly in childhood
Illness anxiety disorder (IAD) is very rare, affecting only about 0.1 percent of Americans. People with this disorder think they have, or are at a high risk of getting, a serious illness, despite having few or no symptoms. It usually appears during early adulthood, although it can affect people of all ages and genders. Those who suffer from IAD tend to:
• Constantly look up diseases and symptoms
• Exaggerate the seriousness of their symptoms
• Obsessively track body functions like sweating and heart rate
• Constantly check for signs of illness by taking their temperature or blood pressure
• Avoid going places or seeing other people for fear of catching a disease
People who have this type of health anxiety generally are either care-seeking or care-avoidant.
• Care seekers don’t hesitate to go to the doctor and get tests. They also frequently discuss their overall health and any symptoms they’re experiencing with family and friends. Both actions are in search of reassurance that they’re not seriously ill.
• Care avoiders may skip going to the doctor for fear that their worries will be confirmed. They also may refuse to talk about their health concerns with family and friends for the same reason, or because they think their concerns won’t be taken seriously.
The causes of IAD aren’t known, but risk factors for it appear to be:
• Trauma, particularly in childhood
• Childhood illness or serious illness in the family during childhood
• Anxiety or depression
• A family history of anxiety disorders
• Intense stress
The first step is ruling out any illnesses or other physical problems with your doctor. If you continue to experience health anxiety symptoms after receiving a clean bill of health, it may be time to seek help from a mental health professional.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) focuses on how your thoughts about a situation affect the way you feel and act. CBT is an effective tool in treating health anxiety. Medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may also help treat and reduce the symptoms of health anxiety disorders.
Health anxiety can be debilitating when it’s not properly managed. Fortunately, there are treatments available that can help ease its symptoms, allowing those with it to live relatively normal lives.
If you or someone you know suffers from symptoms of health anxiety, there are plenty of resources available to help you get the help you deserve.
