Therapies for Hypochondria and the Best Therapy

Written by: Ankita Kathad – MA (Clinical Psychology)
Last updated date : February 13, 2023

When you constantly fear about your health and you waste a lot of time and money on physical tests then you have health anxiety. Accordingly, you are worried that you will contact a disease when you see others suffering. You can take therapies for hypochondria. So, with the help of a therapist, you can gain insight into your problem and get treated. But, you need to believe and accept that you have a problem. Moreover, you need to follow the instructions provided by your doctor. You should not doubt the person who treats you. Therefore, your treatment depends upon your cooperation and faith in your doctor. You may ask, what therapy is best for hypochondria?

Additionally, there are several therapy options for hypochondria. When you have problems with negative thinking and behavior you can take the help of psychotherapy. For instance, cognitive-behavioral therapy has been used to treat people suffering from health worries. Furthermore, you can consult your doctor about the treatment.


“Structured and engaging course” Joan

69 sections

6-Weeks Self-Paced

  • Educational Content
  • Quizzes
  • Self-reflection material
  • Suggestions & feedback
  • Worksheet, tips & tools to use
$9.00 $12.00

25% discount

 

Chapter 1:

Therapy for Hypochondria

If I am a patient with health anxiety then I will feel fear about diseases without actual cause. For instance, my friend has cancer. I will go to a doctor and get myself checked for cancer. Moreover, I will do scans, x-rays, blood tests, and so on. But, when my medical results come out to be negative then I will feel scared. Because I will have this notion that I have some undetected disease. So, I will keep getting scans and blood tests. But I will not be assured after spending a lot of money on the tests. Moreover, my doctor will assure will me that I have no disease. But I will not believe him. Hence, he will suggest that I have health anxiety and need to visit a therapist. What therapy is best for hypochondria? You may know there are a number of therapies for hypochondria.

Additionally, I will not accept the fact that I have hypochondria. Because I am negatively sensing my body’s sensations. Consequently, I will stay in a state of worry and anxiety. But, the therapist will understand my problem when I will go and explain it to him. You should not hide anything about your behavior from the therapist. Plus, you should trust him. Moreover, you will see positive results in no time.

Chapter 2:

Signs and Symptoms

You can find out what therapy is best for hypochondria? Also, there is several therapies for hypochondria.
  • You are always occupied with thoughts of getting ill. Moreover, you spend hours on the internet to learn about the signs and symptoms of new diseases and get the test done. So, you spend a lot of money on body checks. Your doctor may realize that you have health anxiety problems
  • Stressing over little pain or sensation in the body. For instance, if you have a regular headache then you will believe that you have a brain tumor. So, you get brain scans and blood tests. Even when your doctor assures you that you have no disease you cannot keep yourself from thinking about the disease.
  • You are not satisfied with the medical results. When you get negative test results from your body checks then you
  • Moreover, you excessively worry that you can get a specific disease. For instance, your distant relative had cancer. But you believe that one day you can also get cancer. So, you worry all the time.
  • You talk about illnesses and sickness. Also, you write down your symptoms and keep on checking them.
  • Also, you avoid places or people who you believe can give you disease.
  • You cannot perform well in your life. You devote so much time to your health checks. Therefore your life suffers. For instance, you do not spend time with your family. Also, your whole time gets into hospitals or clinics.
  • Your relationships suffer. Also, you cannot devote time to your partner. Moreover, you get agitated and controlling leading to separation. Your children or parents can suffer due to your compulsive behavior.

Chapter 3:

Causes of Health Worry

You can find out what therapy is best for hypochondria? Also, there are many therapies for hypochondria.

  • Your beliefs are set during your growth period. Moreover, if you have a family history of health worry then it is likely you will have it. For instance, your mother used to get anxious after hearing about diseases. So, you also have a similar problem. You hear about the disease and believe that you have the disease.
  • You have some experience with the disease. Also, you previously suffered from an illness like cancer but recovered later. Therefore, you have become over careful around things that can make you sick. When you hear about the disease,you become uneasy and anxious.
  • Also, major life stress you face can cause health anxiety. Moreover, if you witnessed the death of your loved one like a parent,then you may suffer from hypochondria. For instance, your father dies from heart failure. Then you have that memory of disease. Hence, you do not eat food that can cause heart disease and stay vigilant about your minor health issues. So, you need help from a doctor to deal with your fear.
  • Furthermore, child abuse is seen in many people who have health anxiety. You may have suffered from a traumatic childhood experience which may cause your health anxiety in adulthood. So, you need to accept your past and move forward with life.

Chapter 4:

Therapies for Health Anxiety

You may question, what therapy is best for hypochondria? Yes, therapies for hypochondria work well. You can talk to a doctor about your treatment. Firstly,cognitive-behavioral therapy can help you change your thought pattern from a negative to a positive one. But, you need to be patient and actively participate in the therapy. The therapist will help you become aware of the thoughts that are giving you anxiety. So, you become proactive in changing your beliefs and thoughts. Moreover, you can keep a journal to write down your thinking and thoughts. Therefore, your therapist will give you tasks that you should do diligently to change your behavior.

Secondly, you can also make use of relaxation therapy for better results. Suppose you are unable to calm down then by using a gradual relaxing method you can learn to manage your anxiety. Also, you can talk to your doctor about your problems or thoughts which are creating anxiety in you.

Also, there is mindfulness therapy. When you are conscious of your thoughts, then you can change them. But you need to practice this for any change to occur. This will help you recover from the anxiety. For more information, please click “Courses” on the navigation bar to access our courses on mental health and well-being. The course titled “Chronic Pain” provides more information.

Chapter 5:

Causes of Health Worry

You can find out what therapy is best for hypochondria? Also, there are many therapies for hypochondria.
  • Your beliefs are set during your growth period. Moreover, if you have a family history of health worry then it is likely you will have it. For instance, your mother used to get anxious after hearing about diseases. So, you also have a similar problem. You hear about the disease and believe that you have the disease.
  • You have some experience with the disease. Also, you previously suffered from an illness like cancer but recovered later. Therefore, you have become over careful around things that can make you sick. When you hear about the disease you become uneasy and anxious.
  • Also, major life stress you face can cause health anxiety. Moreover, if you witnessed the death of your loved one like a parent then you may suffer from hypochondria. For instance, your father dies from heart failure. Then you have that memory of disease. Hence, you do not eat food that can cause heart disease and stay vigilant about your minor health issues. So, you need help from a doctor to deal with your fear.
  • Furthermore, child abuse is seen in many people who have health anxiety. You may have suffered from a traumatic childhood experience which may cause your health anxiety in adulthood. So, you need to accept your past and move forward with life.

Chapter 6:

Therapies for Health Anxiety

You may question, what therapy is best for hypochondria? Yes, therapies for hypochondria work well. You can talk to a doctor about your treatment. First of all, cognitive-behavioral therapy can help you change your thought pattern from a negative to a positive one. But, you need to be patient and actively participate in the therapy. The therapist will help you become aware of the thoughts that are giving you anxiety. So, you become proactive in changing your beliefs and thoughts. Moreover, you can keep a journal to write down your thinking and thoughts. Therefore, your therapist will give you tasks that you should do diligently to change your behavior. Secondly, you can also make use of relaxation therapy for better results. Suppose you are unable to calm down then by using a gradual relaxing method you can learn to manage your anxiety. Also, you can talk to your doctor about your problems or thoughts which are creating anxiety in you. Next of all, there is mindfulness therapy. When you are conscious of your thoughts then you can change them. But you need to practice this for any change to occur. Also, this will help you recover from the anxiety. For more information, please click “Courses” on the navigation bar to access our courses on mental health and well-being. The course titled “Chronic Pain” provides more information.

"Structured and engaging course" Joan

69 sections

6-Weeks Self-Paced

  • Educational Content
  • Quizzes
  • Self-reflection material
  • Suggestions & feedback
  • Worksheet, tips & tools to use

$9.00 $12.00

25% discount