Health Anxiety Treatment in NYC at Flourish Psychology
Therapist for Health Anxiety and Hypochondria in Brooklyn with the Therapists of Flourish Psychology
We seek therapy because we want to live a long, healthy, emotionally healthy life. Our mental health is a big part of that. But of course, our physical health is as well. Which is why many people struggle with worry about their health. They worry that something is wrong – or will be wrong – and that health anxiety eventually takes control of their life.
If you struggle with health anxiety, contact Flourish Psychology, today. Based in Brooklyn, we provide comprehensive mental health treatment from kind, caring, extensively trained therapists that are ready to help you. Get started today by calling 917-737-9475 or filling out our online firm.
About Health Anxiety and Hypochondria
It is important that we care about our health and take care of ourselves as best we can. But it is also important that we not fear for our health, especially when nothing is wrong (and even in some situations where there is a medical issue).
When a person has health anxiety – also known as hypochondria and “illness anxiety disorder” – they worry excessively that they are or might become ill. It becomes almost an obsession, where they worry that others will make them sick, or feel like every sensation is a sign of a larger, possibly undiagnosed problem.
Prior to COVID-19, many people’s health anxiety was about the idea that they have or might develop an illness or disease. They may feel like pain or discomfort is a sign of cancer, or weakness is a sign of a brain condition. In these situations, they may:
Experiencing symptoms that are not there, possibly after learning about symptoms.
Misinterpret sensations as more severe than they are.
Become hypersensitive to sensations so that they notice anything they feel.
Assume the worst about the symptoms they do experience.
One thing to understand, however, is that a person isn’t necessarily imagining what they’re experiencing. People with health anxiety can become so sensitive to how their body feels that it begins to feel even more severe – more than someone without health anxiety would experience.
Those that fear catching an illness may take extra, unnecessary steps to stop it. They may avoid public spaces more than necessary, fear sounds like sneezes and coughs, and wash their hands even more than needed. It can be hard to tell the difference between an illness anxiety disorder and normal precautions in a post-COVID-19 world, but when the line is crossed between “safe” and “excessive,” typically it has a much bigger impact on a person’s life than is necessary.
Why Do Some People Have Health Anxiety?
It’s normal to have some concerns over your health. It’s when it crosses the line into an obsession that it becomes more problematic. Those with generalized anxiety disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder may be more prone to health anxiety. Panic attacks can be a direct cause, because panic attacks cause physical symptoms that can mimic health problems. Some people with a family history of health anxiety are also more likely to have it, as are those that did experience a significant health event. Many will also get it for no clear reason at all.
We will explore the causes of your hypochondria in therapy. Sometimes, an exact cause may not be found, yet we can still treat it with the right psychotherapy approach.
How is Health Anxiety Addressed?
Health anxiety responds very well to treatments that are designed to address anxiety, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. If the health anxiety is related to another anxiety condition, such as panic attacks, then we will want to address both. If the hypochondria is its own unique challenge, then we may address it individually.
At Flourish Psychology, we firmly believe there no single approach that is ideal for all individuals. That is why we tailor our psychotherapy approaches to you. If you’re ready to get started, please contact Flourish Psychology today.
