Hypochondria - health anxiety

Health anxiety is sometimes called hypochondria.

This is when you spend so much time worrying you're ill, or going to get ill, that it starts to take over your life.

A lot of people can experience health anxiety. Common triggers include physical symptoms and being aware of the health experiences of other people.

Signs of health anxiety

It is normal for people to worry about their health now and then.

But you may have health anxiety if you:

• worry about your health most of the time
• often check your body for signs of illness, such as lumps, tingling or pain
• are always asking people for reassurance that you're not ill
• worry that your GP or medical tests may have missed something
• obsessively look at health information on the internet or in the media
• avoid anything to do with serious illness, such as medical TV programmes
• act as if you were ill - for example, avoiding physical activities

Anxiety can cause symptoms like headaches or a racing heartbeat. You may mistake these for signs of illness.

Signs of anxiety

Self-help for health anxiety

There are many things you can try to help you manage health anxiety.

Keep a diary

Note how often you:

• check your body
• ask people for reassurance
• look at health information

Try to gradually reduce how often you do these things over a week.

Challenge your thoughts

Draw a table with 2 columns. Write your health worries in the first column, then more balanced thoughts in the second.

For example, in the first column you might write: "I'm worried about these headaches."

In the second you might write: "Headaches can often be a sign of stress."

Keep busy with other things

When you get the urge to check your body, distract yourself by going for a walk or calling a friend.

You could also try these relaxation techniques:

• breathing exercises
• mindfulness

Get back to normal activities

Try to gradually start doing things you've been avoiding, such as sports or socialising.

When to contact a GP

Contact a GP if your worries are preventing you from living a normal life and self-help is not working.

If your GP diagnoses you with health anxiety, they may:

• recommend talk therapy
• discuss anxiety medicines with you