AN insect bite could be skin cancer, a headache is a brain tumour, and if you come down with sickness and diarrhoea, you’re convinced it’s far more than a tummy bug.
With Dr Google only ever a click away, it’s not surprising that so many of us are putting two and two together and making five when it comes to our health.
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Some 57% of Brits say they have become more anxious about their health in the past five years, according to a survey commissioned by wellness brand Healthspan, with The Lancet saying that research shows that anxiety has grown “exponentially” in recent years.
When these worries consume a person’s life, it’s known as health anxiety.
“I call it a silent epidemic,” says Professor Peter Tyrer, emeritus professor in community psychiatry at Imperial College London.
“Because it is a psychological disorder, it frequently gets overlooked, but those with health anxiety suffer greatly.
“Research shows that the average patient may have it for many years before being diagnosed.”
What is health anxiety?
Health anxiety was formerly known as hypochondria, a term now dropped due to negative connotations.
Rather than dismissing a person’s concerns as hypochondria, doctors say telling patients they have health anxiety can be more helpful.
“It’s a specific type of anxiety disorder in which you worry excessively about your health and this can start to take over your life,” says Katy Georgiou, psychotherapist and author of How To Understand And Deal With Health Anxiety.
“It is where anxious feelings are specifically linked to thoughts and fears around your health.
“You might stress about developing an illness such as cancer, which you can’t stop thinking about, even if you have no symptoms.
“Or, you may interpret common ailments, like a headache, cough, or bloating, as signs of a serious disease.”
Even if you go for a check-up, you worry that doctors may have missed something, or that test results may be wrong.
You may even avoid doctors for fear of a diagnosis.
“Increasingly, these thoughts become all-consuming and this can have a severe impact on your ability to focus on other things, and the quality of your life begins to suffer,” says Katy.
“It may even cause you to withdraw from friends and family.” Anxiety itself causes symptoms such as a change in breathing and dizziness, exacerbating a person’s fear they are sick.
“It’s a vicious cycle that can leave you feeling exhausted, ashamed, withdrawn and hopeless,” adds Katy.
Consulting Dr Google
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So what’s causing this surge in health anxiety?
“We live in an environment where we’re continually encouraged to focus on our health, diet and the way we look,” says Katy. Doctors, dentists and dietitians are no longer just behind closed doors, but also on our social media feeds.
It’s empowering to take control of our health with access to information that could ward off life-threatening diseases, but it also opens our eyes to conditions linked to seemingly normal everyday symptoms.
Cyberchondria is a form of health anxiety that’s driven by spending hours on the internet researching symptoms.
“The problem with Dr Google is that it will tell you everything and nothing at the same time,” says Professor Tyrer.
“The information on the internet is enormous, but not specific.
“If you look up a symptom, you’ll find a whole range of possibilities – from nothing to worry about to serious.
“So what we’re seeing is a huge increase in health anxiety that is morphing into cyberchondria.”
Why do we get anxious?
Health anxiety can happen to anyone, from Millennials to mid-lifers. “It can occur for all sorts of reasons,” says Katy.
“Some people are naturally prone to developing anxiety.
“It can also be an inherited trait, particularly if there is a history of anxiety in your family.”
It can also occur when someone has watched a loved one suffer with their health, or if there is a family history of a genetic illness.
“Stress can also trigger anxiety – for example, work stress or going through a break-up or divorce,” says Katy.
“Lifestyle factors such as insomnia, drinking too much, not exercising or eating healthily can make anxiety worse.
“Using health apps and gadgets is also not a good idea if you suffer from health anxiety.”
Glucose monitors in particular have been shrouded in controversy, as many experts have argued they should only be used by people who are living with diabetes, as you can become obsessed with tracking levels.
How to help yourself
So what can you do if you are plagued by health anxiety? Katy shares her tips for when it strikes.
The Window Technique
A simple technique to help you switch your thoughts is to imagine peering at yourself through a window.
What do you see? Make a mental note of where you are and what you’re doing.
Perhaps you’re sitting, reading or having a cup of tea, with the sun shining in from outside.
And none of those awful things you pictured are truly happening.
This can be a helpful reminder that you are safe.
Change ‘What If’ To ‘What Is’
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When you’re feeling anxious, it’s easy to spiral into a thought process that dwells on “what if“.
For example: “What if there’s something seriously wrong with me?” Try this exercise when you start to imagine the worst:
Step 1: When you hear yourself thinking: “What if…?” remind yourself this is your anxiety talking.
Step 2: Change “what if” to “what is”.
For example: “What if I end up in A&E needing an operation?” becomes: “What is happening? I am sitting on the sofa watching my favourite show.”
Keep A Diary
Notice how your preoccupation with symptoms fluctuates when you are already feeling anxious or stressed.
This can help you work out the best times to practise relaxation techniques such as breathwork or meditation, or simply spend more time in nature, which can help you deal with stress.
If your anxiety persists, see your GP.
They may suggest CBT or that you self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies.
For more info, visit Anxietyuk.org.uk and Mentalhealth.org.uk.
How To Understand And Deal With Health Anxiety by Katy Georgiou (£12.99, Vie) is out now.
Do you suffer from health anxiety?
THIS quiz from Anxiety UK can indicate whether you may have health anxiety.
If you answer YES to most of the questions, it is likely that you are affected.
During the past six months:
- Have you experienced a preoccupation with having a serious illness?
- Have you felt distressed due to this?
- Have you found that this impacts negatively on all areas of life including family life, social life and work?
- Have you felt the need to carry out constant online searches, self-examination and self-diagnosis?
- Have you experienced disbelief over a diagnosis from a doctor?
- Do you constantly need reassurance from doctors, family and friends that you are fine and there is nothing seriously wrong with you?
For more info, visit Kgcounsellor.com.
