Is Health Anxiety a Form of OCD? Health Anxiety Is Ruining My Life
Last updated date : March 01, 2023
Irritable Bowel Disease Syndrome
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Fear about getting ill can be quite stressful, especially in today’s world. This fear can create a cycle in which you can get stuck. For instance, a person who takes precautions, washes hands and cleans surfaces frequently, visits a doctor, or gets medical tests often are signs of health anxiety. It can start to hinder your life and you may think that health anxiety is ruining your life. Because you spend most of your time thinking about getting sick. As it becomes a repeating thought, so, is health anxiety a form of OCD?
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Chapter 1:
What Is Health Anxiety?
Chapter 2:
Health Anxiety and OCD
Health Anxiety | Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) |
---|---|
It is an irrational and excessive fear to develop a severe illness.
It can have features of other anxiety disorders such as panic or OCD. Example: A person may fear that a doctor or medical test may have missed anything serious. He may excessively search the internet for health information and anything that has to do with severe diseases |
OCD involves repeated, and unwanted thoughts (which are obsessions) and the urge to confront those obsessions by actions (which are compulsions).
Examples of themes can be checking, order of things, fear of harm or contamination, etc. Example: A person who has fear of contamination may frequently wash or avoid certain situations where there is fear of contamination. |
However, it is also likely that OCD may have a theme of contamination in which a person has repeated thoughts and actions over cleanliness and germs, mainly due to a fear of being ill.
For instance, actions in OCD include- a lot of handwashing
- a lot of cleaning
While actions related to health anxiety may include
- seeking assurance from a doctor if everything is alright with them.
The theme of OCD may also be related to harm such as, you may feel compelled to repeat a prayer to “guard” yourself against disease or death.
Chapter 3:
Is It Health Anxiety or OCD?
Signs of Illness Anxiety Disorder
- People who have it show no physical signs, but constant worry to get a serious disease (for at least 6 months).
- They are concerned about their health.
- They regularly monitor their body for signs of sickness.
- Frequent doctor visits to seek medical help.
- Or avoid doctor’s visits in an unhealthy way.
- They are prone to panic attacks when it comes to their health.
- People who have it suffer from severe distress as a result of one or more body symptoms.
- They have inflated thoughts about body symptoms.
- They spend a lot of their time and attention on health issues.
- They have obsessions which are repeated disturbing thoughts.
- They engage in compulsions, which are repeated actions performed in reaction to an obsession.
- Obsessive thoughts and compulsions take up a lot of time.
However, consult a health expert to better diagnose and treat you if you have health concerns.
Chapter 4:
Conclusion
Cognitive therapy (CBT) is usually helpful in treating health concerns as the condition involves irrational thoughts. For instance, if you think “it is ruining my life”, you are focusing on the negatives in life. You can look at your positives in life and enjoy it more while don’t waste your time stressing over extra things.
It is a good idea to take some medications advised by a doctor. However, you may make use of some of the self-care tips, such as
Take care of your basic needs by having proper rest, eating a balanced diet, and exercising daily to stay healthy. Spend quality time with family and friends. Take part in a support group, whether it is online or in-person. Reduce your stress and engage in calm activities such as meditation or writing.
Chapter 5:
Call to Action
Next, you can start a course “Managing IBS” or “Chronic Pain” Epsychonline, to manage your irrational beliefs and reduce stress. We hope to be a help to you. Join right away!
"Learnt a lot from this course" Sally
51 sections
6-Weeks Self-Paced
- Educational Content
- Quizzes
- Self-reflection material
- Suggestions & feedback
- Worksheet, tips & tools to use
$9.00
$12.00
25% discount