A DEEPER Understanding of HEALTH ANXIETY | Dr. Rami Nader

Health anxiety can have a significant negative impact on a person’s life and general sense of well-being. But to an extent, we all have health worries, so when does it stop being regular health worry and when does it become Health Anxiety? The worries in Health Anxiety tend to differ from typical health worries in a number of ways, including: the health worries are excessive; the health worries lead to unhelpful behaviours such as reassurance seeking, excessive checking or avoidance; the health worries are persistent; and the health worries cause significant distress and interfere in a person’s day-to-day activities. As a result, Health Anxiety results in a number of problems and difficulties in a person’s life. Some of these problems associated with Health Anxiety and health worry are:
1. Health anxiety can interfere in relationships with close friends and family.
2. Health anxiety can negatively affect relationships with your doctor or other health professionals.
3. Health anxiety can have a negative effect on a person’s work or school performance.
4. Health anxiety can negatively affect general life satisfaction and enjoyment.
5. Health anxiety can contribute to significant financial difficulties.
6. Health anxiety can contribute to unpleasant physical symptoms of anxiety, which can then exacerbate the health anxiety itself.
#Hypochondriasis #HealthAnxiety #IllnessAnxietyDisorder
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[@rosemary4545]

I wish I had you as my doctor /therapist or even member of my family. Health anxiety is something I wouldn't wish not even to my worst enemy. It literally makes you feel as if life as no purpose. Thank you for your amazing work and for your beautiful soul doctor.

[@DrRamiNader]

Hi Rosemary - thank you for your very kind words.

[@rrooster8218]

I may need a video on dealing with the regret on falling for health anxiety (or having depression, ptsd, etc). I have true symptoms. Chronic problems that are functional problems but that won't end my life (though it has felt like it). I understand why I fell for this trap: because of ptsd from sexual traumas and abuse in my childhood, and the ensuing panic disorder I have that caused symptoms I didn't understand. Due to great sharers of knowledge, like yourself, I know understand what is happening in panic and know that my health anxiety is almost a form of OCD. It is the compulsions from health anxiety that I regret so much. 2 decades+ of wasting my, and my family's time, doing "research" and trying to find the holy grail and heal myself. I thought that was the responsible thing to do because I was a wife and a mother. But it really just took over and I could have just been living while sick instead of making myself sicker and missing my life with the compulsions of reassurance, studying, research, tests etc. So yeah, I feel so sad about the years I've wasted. I have stopped most compulsions now and know the symptoms from panic won't kill me, that bodies are noisy, and my other chronic issues can be managed well enough. It is the regret that is killing me now. My husband and kids talk about trips and other memories and all I can remember of the event was how much pain I was in, how I was trying to figure out to manage it etc. I could never focus on what was in front of me, just float with symptoms, because I was too worried about them and what they could mean and how they may mess stuff up in the near future. Never noting that I was actually okay in the moment. Though I feel watching videos like this MAY also be a compulsion, they are helping me in the long run. I'm grateful for them. Thank you.

[@shawnr741]

I understand that regret but I’m still suffering from health anxiety. It takes quite a toll on yourself and everyone around you. I wish you the best. I’m glad you were able to move past the illness anxiety. I’m working on getting there as well

[@rrooster8218]

@@shawnr741 Shawn, I truly, truly hope relief for you. I still have fear but have stopped the compulsions of research etc. Being able to actually stop myself has opened my life a lot. I read more fiction, watch movies etc. I still have pain and sickness but it's repetitive from the past. I know researching, fretting etc isn't going to make it much better. Been there, done that. I'd rather turn my attentions to other things and try to have faith that I'll know when I really need to see a doctor etc. I highly recommend a KZbin channel called simply OCDandAnxiety @ocdandanxiety. I believe his name is Nathan. But since following his advice I've had the most relief. Basically I never considered my health anxiety to be like OCD... But treating it like it is has had the most effect compared to the many, many previous therapists. Exposure and response therapy and dealing with compulsions. Having a symptom but refusing to research or run for assurance and sitting through the anxiety that causes really does help. Best of luck to you.

[@rrooster8218]

@@shawnr741 kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZWkmGmpftGNoMk This video is long but helped a lot. Basically...Look for things that talk about health anxiety from an OCD standpoint. In the end it comes down to accepting uncertainty. We have to become comfortable with uncertainty to lessen any anxiety. Easier said than done but I hope you find a little more comfort soon.

[@shawnr741]

@@rrooster8218 Thank you so much for your kind words. I will absolutely check out the channel you mentioned. I’m getting better at not researching everything but I do slip up frequently. It’s a confusing situation and I’m not exactly sure how I got where I am today but I am willing to work to rid myself of this. Stay well, friend

[@seybat]

All single word are correct and related with me.

[@deigamohamed707]

Thanks ❤

[@DrRamiNader]

You're very welcome.

[@DL-rl9bd]

I have this so bad, I love finding channels such as yours. Thank you!

[@DrRamiNader]

You're very welcome, glad you found it helpful!

[@jayde7412]

Hi, Dr. Nader Thank you, for your inspiring commentary. It's very hopeful and reassuring.

[@DrRamiNader]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@ryarya3291]

can't wait for the next videos!!!!

[@DrRamiNader]

Thanks for supporting the channel!

[@peterwu8471]

Would be great if you had a video with information on how we can deal with health anxiety and recover. I understand it as I am living it a second time.

[@DrRamiNader]

I am working on those videos and will be uploading them in the coming months.

[@dmix2263]

Yeah.. Unfortunately I shared too much with someone and they complained to someone else. That someone else told me.

[@gwensmith3256]

Good information

[@DrRamiNader]

Hi Gwen, glad you found it helpful.

[@sirjay-rdalida499]

Me having a slight stomach discomfort right now: Am I dying? Health anxiety is the worst

[@sanjabegovic729]

Hello! How to cure physical symptoms of anxiety, like severe hypnic, jerks and constant unsuccessful yawns?

[@aicy5020]

everything you said happened to me

[@mohannedishaq5797]

can u help me. i have constant symptoms i did lots of checkup mri all for yeras all ok still have sever sympmtom s eveyday i feel its new and dedernnt feeling i check my bp 10 times aday i dont go farther than my home only short distance im kt fan of drugs i triee befpre side effects and addiction wht can i do

[@fredaclarke3861]

how common is HA? I super with avoidance. HA. But have neck ,shoulder pains