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Health Anxiety Treatment Health anxiety is a condition which is characterized by an excessive worry and anxiety over having or being diagnosed with a serious medical issue. These feelings are accompanied by excessive checking behaviors and frequent requests for assurance. Illness anxiety -- sometimes called hypochondria triggered by the misinterpretation of body sensations as well as beliefs about illness. Treatment options include psychotherapy (or talk therapy) and medication. Medicines Health anxiety is a serious illness that affects one's ability both to work and interact with other people. There are a myriad of methods to manage symptoms and help people live a more fulfilling life. These treatments can include psychotherapy and medication, or an amalgamation of both. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a form of psychotherapy, is often used to treat this disorder. This type of therapy teaches you to recognize and address harmful thoughts, behaviors and beliefs that cause anxiety. It helps you find alternatives to deal with worries, like relaxation and exercise techniques. You can take medications to treat severe anxiety episodes. Benzodiazepines such as Klonopin, Xanax, and Valium are fast-acting medications which can offer immediate relief. They focus on the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutryic acids (GABA) and reduce the activity of specific neurons in the brain that are overexcited by anxiety. The use of these drugs should not be for more than four weeks at a time in order to avoid becoming addictive. Antidepressants are often prescribed to treat depression and anxiety. Serotonin reuptake inhibiters, like SSRIs, boost serotonin levels in the brain. This can decrease depression and anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors which block the reabsorption process of serotonin as well as norepinephrine are also effective. People who suffer from health anxiety frequently have a strong conviction that they suffer from medical issues and are unable to not stop worrying about their symptoms, despite being given reassurance by doctors. They may also suffer from delusions, such as somatic illusions, where they think the symptoms are due to their psychological or mental state. They are unable to eat or sleeping, and are experiencing physical discomfort. They can also be angry and impatient, and may avoid their family and friends. The best method to tackle health anxiety is to find a diagnosis and help from a certified psychologist or psychiatrist. They can determine whether the anxiety is being caused by a medical condition and assist you in setting the limits of lab testing, imaging and referrals to specialists.
A little worry about your health is normal, but if this becomes excessive it can be an important cause of stress. Fortunately, cognitive behavioral therapy is among the most effective psychological treatments for anxiety related to health. This treatment focuses on developing new skills that aid you in dealing with anxiety in a more productive manner. The treatment typically consists of multiple sessions that last between 45 and 60 minutes. A typical treatment plan will include 12 to 20 sessions, but it will vary depending on your specific needs. Through CBT, you'll be taught to recognize your maladaptive behavior such as reassurance-seeking and checking. You will learn various mindfulness techniques that are known to reduce anxiety and promote recovery after an illness. People suffering from health anxiety typically worry about developing or having serious medical conditions. This can result in various maladaptive behaviors such as frequent checkups, seeking reassurance from other doctors or others as well as avoiding places and people that make them think of illnesses. As time passes, these habits can have a significant negative impact on your life and relationships. In some instances health-related concerns, anxiety are accompanied by other disorders such as depression or delusional disorder (somatic type). But, most times, they are based on the misinterpretation of bodily sensations as well as exaggerated fears about the possibility of developing an illness of the body. Health anxiety can be a major source of anxiety and cause problems with your daily life. When anxiety over health becomes an issue, it is crucial to seek help so that you can get relief and return to living life to the maximum. There isn't a single reason for anxiety-related health issues. However, some common causes include the sudden death of a family member, difficult illnesses in adulthood or childhood, or a history of omitted diagnoses of physical problems. It is essential to discuss these factors with your therapist in order to understand what has contributed to the development of your health anxiety. Together, you can develop a an action plan to help you break the cycle of anxiety. Talk therapy Often, people with health anxiety have a misinterpretation of bodily sensations, or an exaggerated belief about their likelihood of contracting a disease. This constant worry can cause anxiety and hinder the ability of a person to function normally in their daily lives. A therapist can assist you to correct threat misappraisal and find ways to manage your anxieties in a healthy way. You can learn skills to stop avoiding, focusing on and seeking comfort, which only reinforce your anxiety-inducing thoughts and beliefs. Additionally, you can develop the ability to challenge your negative assumptions and see things from a more balanced perspective. Medications can also be helpful in managing symptoms and decreasing the amount of discomfort. They are frequently used to treat depression, however, they can be beneficial for anxiety-related health issues as well. If your GP diagnoses illness anxiety disorder, he or she might refer you to psychotherapy or prescribe medication to reduce your symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy is offered by a variety of NHS talking therapies services to treat this condition. You can also contact an accredited counsellor or psychologist privately to receive psychotherapy. You can look up the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies Register or the British Psychological Society Directory to locate a psychologist who is registered. Talk therapy is the most effective way to manage health anxiety. It helps you identify negative or unhelpful behaviours and thoughts. Most often your therapist will employ cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is the most effective method for treating anxiety disorders. CBT helps you recognize and challenge unhelpful and unrealistic beliefs about yourself and your body. It helps you understand medical procedures and challenges any harmful or untrue beliefs. It also teaches you to adopt more effective ways of dealing with your anxieties, such as not undergoing too many medical tests or reassurance-seeking. In some instances, your therapist will also utilize exposure therapy, which is confronting your fears in a secure environment and retraining your mind to respond in a different way. For instance, Harriet is 36 and has had no serious health issues. However, she is scared that she might have arthritis in her hands due to pain in two of her knuckles. She has visited an orthopedic surgeon and received reassurance but the fear persists. She is avoiding activities and restricting her social life because of her anxiety. A therapist can teach her CBT and help her to discover ways to manage the pain in her hands. Family Therapy People suffering from health anxiety spend a large portion of their time worrying about severe illnesses like HIV or cancer, as well as dementia. Their fears about their health may be so intense that it interferes with everyday functioning and creates anxiety in their relationships. They may think that any physical sensation could be a sign of illness. They may be able to spend hours researching symptoms or seeking advice from family and friends. They might also visit numerous doctors for unnecessary tests. This can lead to fatigue, financial stress and a lack of joy in life. Psychotherapy is usually the most effective treatment for anxiety disorders affecting the health. This type of therapy is called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Medications can also be used in conjunction with psychotherapy to improve results. If prescribed medication is used for treatment, small doses are typically administered to prevent adverse effects. The initial step of a family therapy session involves a brief intake meeting with the therapy therapist. This session will allow the therapist to get a better understanding of how anxiety affects the entire family and what the underlying issues are. All family members should be involved in the process. It's a great idea to make an appointment with your primary healthcare professional if you suffer from anxiety-related health issues that are severe. This will help you determine if there are any medical conditions that could be the cause of anxiety. |
