Just last week, while binging on my favorite potato chips, I felt a sudden pang of guilt and anxiety. I remember scouring health websites, my mind spiraling into frightening scenarios of 'what-ifs'. The reality of health anxiety hit me, as it does for numerous people worldwide. Health anxiety is that monster under the bed, except this one is real and psychologically debilitating sometimes. By being constantly in fear of having a serious ailment and misinterpreting minor body signals as a severe disease, we are allowing health anxiety to steal our peace of mind.
In the age of information, sometimes too much knowledge can be a curse. We live in times where we are bombarded with health-related content. From advertisements urging us to detect early signs of 'this' disease to movies portraying harrowing experiences of 'that' ailment, our environment places much emphasis on health dangers. Most of my friends, at some point, have admitted to falling prey to cyberchondria, frantically searching for symptoms online, only to conclude they have a terminal illness. The mind creates a loop of obsession and worry, which morphs into health anxiety.
My old friend Sarah once joked, " Ellis, if overthinking burned calories, we would be perpetual motion machines." The chuckles aside, the statement carries a heavy truth. Health anxiety goes beyond the usual worry. It is persistent, distressing, and interferes with daily activities. Symptoms include seeking repeated assurance from doctors, avoiding medical TV shows, and obsessively checking for signs of ailment. Remember the time when I was afraid, I had lung cancer because of a random coughing fit? Yeah, it's something like that. Only, it wouldn't just stop.
Like many of life’s challenges, health anxiety too can be managed effectively. Adopting a healthy lifestyle is a good first step. Exercise could help reduce anxieties, and maintaining a balanced diet keeps your mind and body in high spirits. Also, ensuring proper sleep hygiene is essential to keep your mind fresh and relaxed. I remember when I decided to go for a run instead of Googling my minor headache. The jog not only eased the ache, but it also made me feel more energetic and positive. It’s always the small choices that make big changes.
As a blogger, I've found journaling to be therapeutic in managing health anxiety. Documenting symptoms, feelings, and subsequent thoughts can help identify patterns, which can then be addressed effectively. Not just that, journaling lessens the internal chatter and provides a sense of catharsis. I often think of the unused pages of my journal as receptacles for anxiety and negative emotions. As the pages get filled, I can actually visualize my fears getting locked behind book covers.
The internet is a labyrinth of information, and it's easy to get lost. It's crucial to understand that while web-based sources can offer insights, they cannot replace professional advice. Avoid self-diagnosing serious ailments based on articles you read online. Virtual health websites might often focus on worst-case scenarios, which can cause unneeded anxiety. A small headache might not mean a brain tumor, and a sudden cough isn't necessarily a sign of lung cancer. Let's leave the diagnosing to the professionals. Trust me, my life has been much calmer since I made doctor Google my last resort.
I've found mindfulness to be a robust tool to combat health anxiety. By concentrating on the present and accepting it without judgment, I have been able to reduce the cycle of obsessive worry. The thought of being 'here and now' prevents you from catastrophic thinking and provides a sense of tranquility. As I sit in my Melbourne study, sipping my Earl grey tea and listening to the songs of magpies, I realize there is so much comfort in the present moment that we often overlook in our fears of what might happen.
One thing I've realized through my battles with health anxiety is that we don't always need to fight alone. Talking about fears and anxieties to friends, family or professionals can help reduce the intensity and provide fresh perspectives. It was the chat with my neighbour, Sam, about my endless worries, that made me realize I was not alone in this battle. Sometimes, sharing helps more than we believe it can.
If health anxiety persists and begins hindering your daily life, it might be time to seek professional help. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has proven to be particularly helpful for health anxiety. It enables you to change how you think ('Cognitive') and how you act ('Behavior'). As I found out through a few therapy sessions, CBT deals directly with your current situations and their solutions, rather than focusing on past causes. Pricing my mental health above the societal stigma, I sought professional help, and trust me, it is worth it.
As someone who has battled health anxiety, I can assure you that while the path may seem rough, the other side is where tranquility resides. You learn to appreciate each day as it comes, instead of dwelling on the fear of the unknown. Zealandia, the bird haven region in Melbourne, taught me that just like birds, we, humans, should also wear our scars proudly and navigate through life as it unfolds. The battle against health anxiety is indeed worth fighting.
Written by Ellis Thornton
View all posts by: Ellis Thornton