Health Anxiety: A Growing Concern

When worry about illness becomes an illness itself – and what you can do about it.

 

What is Health Anxiety?

It starts with a headache that won’t shift, or a new ache you can’t explain. You Google the symptoms – and suddenly you’re convinced something is seriously wrong. The reassurance from a doctor lasts a day, maybe two, before the worry creeps back. Sound familiar?

Health anxiety – sometimes called illness anxiety or, in its older term, hypochondria – is a far more common than many people realise. And in a post-pandemic world, where our relationship with physical health has been permanently changed, it is on the rise.

What is health anxiety?

Health anxiety is a pattern of excessive worry about having or developing a serious illness, even when medical tests come back clear or symptoms are mild. It’s not simply being cautious about your health – it’s when fear takes hold and begins to affect your daily life, relationships and wellbeing.

People with health anxiety may spend hours checking their bodies for signs of illness, seek repeated reassurance from doctors or loved ones, or avoid medical appointments entirely out of fear of what they might find. Paradoxically, both behaviours tend to make the anxiety worse, not better.

“The reassurance that soothes anxiety in the short term actually feeds it in the long run – the relief becomes something the anxiety depends on. “

Why is it growing?

Several factors have contributed to rising rates of health anxiety in recent years. TheCovid-19 pandemic brought health threats into sharp focus for millions of people – many of whom had never previously worried about illness. The constant exposure to medical information, symptoms and mortality statistics left a lasting mark on collective wellbeing.

The rise of the internet and social media has also played a significant role. “Dr Google” is both a resource and a trap. Access to medical information can be helpful, but it also makes it very easy to fixate on worse-case scenarios, rare conditions and alarming statistics that fuel rather than calm fears.

Remember, seeking help for health anxiety is not a sign of weakness but a step toward better mental health and wellbeing. Our experienced counsellors and psychotherapists are here to support you on your journey to managing health anxiety and living a more fulfilling life.