Health Anxiety Treatment Health anxiety is a condition that is characterized by a high level of worry and anxiety about the possibility of being diagnosed with a serious medical issue The anxiety is accompanied by excessive checking behaviors and frequent requests for reassurance Illness anxiety, or hypochondria is caused by a misconception and false perception of the illness https//wwwiampsychiatrycom/anxiety-treatment or talk-therapy and medication are two treatment options Medicines Health anxiety is a serious condition that can affect one's ability to work and interact with others There are a myriad of treatments that can help manage symptoms and help people live a fuller life The treatments can consist of medication, psychotherapy or a combination of both Cognitive behavioral therapy CBT, a form of psychotherapy, is commonly used to treat this condition This kind of therapy helps you recognize and confront harmful attitudes, behaviors and thoughts that cause anxiety It helps you find alternative ways to cope with anxiety, such as relaxation and exercises These medications can be used as a short-term treatment for severe anxiety episodes Benzodiazepines such as Klonopin clonazepam, Xanax alprazolam and Valium diazepam are rapid-acting medicines that provide immediate relief They focus on the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutryic acids GABA and decrease the activity of specific neurons in the brain that are stimulated by anxiety These medications are not recommended for more than four weeks at a time because they can become addictive and become ineffective after that time Antidepressants are typically prescribed to treat anxiety, and can positively impact depression-related symptoms as well Serotonin reuptake inhibitors, like SSRIs, boost levels of serotonin within the brain, which can reduce anxiety and depression Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors that block the reabsorption of both norepinephrine and serotonin can also be effective People with health anxiety often have a strong belief that they have medical problems and are unable to not stop worrying about their symptoms, even if they are given reassurance by doctors They may also suffer from delusions such as somatic illusions that make them believe that their symptoms are related to their psychological or mental state They usually have trouble sleeping, experience difficulty eating and experience physical discomfort They may also be frustrated and impatient, and may avoid their family and friends The best method to tackle health anxiety is to seek a diagnosis and get help from a certified psychologist or psychiatrist They can assist you in determining if the anxiety is a result of medical issues and set limits on lab tests, imaging and referrals Cognitive therapy for behavior A little worry about your health is normal, but when 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 involves teaching you new ways to manage your anxiety in a more productive way The treatment usually consists of several individual sessions lasting 45-60 minutes A typical treatment plan includes 12 to 20 sessions However it will vary based on the individual requirements of each patient Through CBT, you will be taught to recognize your maladaptive safety behaviors such as checking and reassurance seeking You will also learn to use a variety of mindfulness techniques known to decrease anxiety and promote recovery from illnesses Many people suffering from health anxiety are consumed by the fear of developing serious medical illnesses This can result in various unhealthy actions, such as frequent checkups, seeking assurance from medical professionals or others as well as avoiding people and places that remind them of their illness Over time, these behaviors can have a significant negative impact on your life and relationships In some instances, the worries of health anxiety are accompanied by other disorders like depression or delusional disorder somatic type But, most of the time, they are based on the misinterpretation of bodily sensations as well as exaggerated fears about the possibility of having a medical malady Health anxiety can be a significant source of distress and interfere with your everyday life It is essential to seek help if it becomes a problem so that you can find relief and get back to living life to the maximum There isn't a single reason for anxiety-related health issues However, the most common causes are sudden death of a family member, difficult illnesses during adulthood or in childhood, or a history of omitted diagnosis of physical ailments It is essential to discuss these issues with your therapist in order to determine what contributed to the development of your health anxiety Together, you will be able to create an action plan to break free of the cycle of anxiety and reassurance and start to experience more of what life offers Talk therapy Often, people with health anxiety have a misinterpretation of bodily sensations, or an exaggerated belief about the likelihood of developing a condition This constant anxiety can cause stress and hinder the person from functioning in their daily lives A therapist can help you identify the misappraisal of threats and ways to manage your anxiety in a healthy manner You can learn to stop avoiding, checking and seeking reassurance, which only reinforce your anxious thoughts and beliefs You can also learn to confront negative thoughts and to view the world from an unbiased viewpoint Medications can also be helpful in managing symptoms and reducing the level of discomfort They are often used to treat depression but they can be beneficial for anxiety-related health issues as well If your GP diagnoses an illness anxiety disorder, he or she might recommend psychotherapy or prescribe medication to ease your symptoms Cognitive behavioral therapy is offered by numerous NHS talking therapies services for this condition You can also contact an accredited psychologist or counsellor to provide psychotherapy in private You can search the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies Register or the British Psychological Society Directory to find a registered psychologist Talk therapy is the most effective treatment for health anxiety, as it helps you recognize negative or destructive behavior and thoughts Your therapist will most likely employ cognitive behavioral therapy CBT which is the most effective treatment for anxiety disorders CBT helps you recognize and challenge negative or unrealistic beliefs about yourself, your body and medical procedures It teaches you how to react to anxiety in a healthier way and avoid excessive medical testing or reassurance seeking behavior In some cases, exposure therapy is used by your therapist This involves confronting your fears and training the mind to respond differently Harriet for instance, is 36 years old and has never suffered from any serious health issues However, she is worried that she may have arthritis in her hands due to pain in two of her knuckles She has been to the doctor and received reassurance, but her worry persists She begins to avoid activities and restricts her social life because of her anxiety A therapist can help her learn CBT and help her discover ways to manage the pain in her hands Family Therapy Health anxiety sufferers spend a lot of their time worried about serious illnesses like HIV and dementia, as well as cancer Their health anxiety can be so severe that it affects their daily functioning and create stress in their relationships They frequently feel that any physical symptom is an indication of a serious illness These individuals may spend hours researching symptoms, seeking reassurance from friends and family members or visiting multiple doctors for unnecessary tests This can cause you to feel exhausted and financially stressed, leading to less of a quality of life Psychotherapy is usually the mainstay for treating health anxiety disorders This form of therapy is called cognitive behavioral therapy CBT Medications can also be used in conjunction with psychotherapy to enhance outcomes If prescribed medication is used for treatment, small doses are typically used to avoid adverse reactions The first step in the family therapy session is to schedule a brief intake with the therapist The meeting will enable the therapist to gain an understanding of how anxiety affects the entire family and what the underlying issues are It is essential for all family members to be involved in this process If you're struggling with anxiety that is severe it's a good idea to make an appointment with your primary care provider This will allow you to rule out any medical issues that could cause anxiety People suffering from health anxiety are more likely to interpret common physical symptoms such as nausea, headaches or muscle twitch as indications of a deadly disease They often see a variety of doctors and are told that their symptoms are caused by their own imaginations They can become frustrated and discouraged by this experience, leading to a lack of motivation to seek the proper treatment for their anxiety They are not just financially and emotionally stressed, but they also have to miss social or work activities to go to doctor's appointments Patients also frequently argue with their families about their preoccupation with their health In some cases family members believe that they are being blamed by their loved ones and start to act in unhealthy ways