What is Health Anxiety, and How Should You Handle It?
Key Takeaways:
You may feel anxious about the uncertainties of your chronic illness.
Flare-ups, the prognosis of your condition, and finances may cause feelings of anxiousness.
Health anxiety is a condition that can cause constant worrying about your health.
To manage health anxiety with a chronic illness, adopt strategies like consulting your healthcare team, researching your condition, and seeking mental healthcare.
Do you get anxiety from thinking about a flare-up or your condition worsening? A common symptom of chronic illnesses is flare-ups. Flare-ups or flares occur when the symptoms of your chronic illness suddenly peak or worsen. Flare-ups can last several hours, days, or weeks and occur randomly.
While you may be aware of your flare-up triggers, like sun exposure, spicy foods, or overexerting yourself doing activities, in some cases, flare-ups can occur without warning, which may keep you on edge.
The uncertainty of when a flare-up or what’s going on with your chronic illness can leave you feeling anxious. This is called health anxiety.
Here’s an overview of health anxiety and tips for managing it.
What is health anxiety?
If you have a chronic illness, you are likely anxious about your condition's prognosis, managing your daily activities, and how to financially support your health. Worrying about these factors can make you feel anxious. And if you experience a flare-up, it can cause your anxiety to heighten.
On the contrary, anxiety can worsen your chronic illness symptoms. For example, feelings of anxiousness can lead to sleeping difficulties, fatigue, pain, and irritability. These symptoms can impact your chronic condition, sometimes making them more severe.
According to a 2020 systematic review from PLOS ONE, health anxiety or illness anxiety disorder is the fear and worry you develop in response to living with a chronic illness.
The symptoms of health anxiety include:
Being easily worried about your health status
Not finding any sense of relief from your doctor’s appointments or negative test results
Constantly discussing your health
The presence of a chronic illness can trigger health anxiety flare-ups. The fear of exacerbations, new symptoms, or disease progression can intensify anxiety symptoms. Recognizing health anxiety is a common experience among individuals with chronic illnesses and that flare-ups are not indicative of personal weakness is essential.
Knowing how to acknowledge health anxiety with a chronic illness can encourage self-acceptance and facilitate the development of effective coping mechanisms.
How to handle health anxiety with a chronic illness
To handle health anxiety flare-ups with a chronic illness, here are some tips:
Research your condition
Do be afraid to research your chronic illness. Understand the nature of your condition, treatment options, and possible outcomes. The more knowledge you obtain about your chronic illness, the more can be empowering you’ll feel, which can alleviate anxiety.
Speak to your healthcare team
Have an open dialogue with your healthcare providers about your concerns. Share your health anxiety concerns and any symptoms or changes you experience. Then, you can collaborate with your healthcare professionals to develop a care plan that addresses your physical and mental health.
Practice self-compassion
Living with a chronic illness and health anxiety can be emotionally challenging. You can practice self-compassion by acknowledging and validating your feelings. For example, be gentle with yourself during flare-ups, recognizing that anxiety is a natural response to your unique circumstances.
Focus on what you can control
Redirect your attention to aspects of your health that you can influence. This may include adhering to your prescribed treatment plan, adopting a healthy lifestyle, managing stress levels, and engaging in self-care practices.
Build a support network
Seek support from loved ones, friends, or support groups who understand the challenges of living with a chronic illness and health anxiety. Share your experiences, concerns, and fears with those who can offer empathy and encouragement. Consider joining online communities or therapy from professionals experienced in chronic illness anxiety.
Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques
Mindfulness and relaxation techniques can be valuable tools in managing health anxiety flare-ups. For example, try meditation, deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, or guided imagery. These techniques promote present-moment awareness, reduce stress levels, and foster a sense of calm.
Seek professional help
If health anxiety significantly impacts your daily functioning and quality of life, consider seeking professional help from a mental health specialist. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based therapies can provide effective strategies for managing health anxiety.
Anxiety is not uncommon for spoonies to experience. The worries about flares and your condition becoming severe can weigh on your consciousness. Understanding health anxiety and ways to manage it can help reduce stress levels and allow you to focus on living a healthy life with a chronic illness.
How Chronius Can Help
If living with chronic illness feels like a full time job, you aren’t alone.
That’s why at Chronius, we make it easy to navigate the healthcare system as a patient. Our online care management platform brings together all of your health records and offers a 1-click appointment prep tool that easily synthesizes your health story for your care team. You also can track all of your symptoms, identify trends, learn from vetted medical information, and follow a custom patient journey map. Plus, if you needs hands on support, our Care Advocates are available to help you with any issues you may hit up against. Personalized support as you navigate your care journey is what we are all about.
Interested in learning more and signing up for our waitlist? Claim your spot today.
