Where Does My HEALTH ANXIETY Come From? | Dr. Rami Nader

[@DL-rl9bd]

This month I just spent $1200 out of pocket for brain, cervical, and thoracic MRIs, because I thought I had MS. The MRIs were all clear, other than age related wear and tear. Health anxiety is debilitating

[@Hisusi_Het]

How are you feeling now ?

[@capefear56]

The psychosomatic response to hypochondria can actually be quite frightening. I went through a phase of believing I could be suffering from the early stages of Multiple Sclerosis, and a physical manifestation of this anxiety involved my migraine auras suddenly producing numbed lips and fingers just before the attacks, in place of the usual visual auras.

[@DrRamiNader]

Anxiety can often trigger physical sensations that are similar to those found in various medical conditions, which then makes a person further believe they have the medical condition, not recognizing that it's anxiety.

[@platinumlawnservice]

Same here. I had so many tests done including a brain mri and found out it was just the anxiety. Still going to therapy for it. I had panic attacks for about 4 years that came on out of nowhere after having a child and a bad er scare with her. thats probably the root along with smoking and drinking that reinforced the health worries. Hope you feel better

[@tongue-in-creekband576]

This is SO spot on! Thank you a million times. My father died of melanoma at age 32 (I was 5), my mother died of metastatic breast cancer age 51..after suffering horribly for 2 years ( I took care of her) she died in my arms suffocating in her own blood. Add to that I have been an RN for 46 years. I've seen every little symptom actually turn out to be catastrophic! No wonder I have this!! Finding your videos is very comforting - to know I am not alone...and that someone understands

[@DrRamiNader]

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I'm glad you found it helpful.

[@brandonmaxie8475]

I am so happy to find your videos!!!! They have helped me so much because you explain exactly what I am feeling. By you explains why I feel it, helps my brain to stop thinking about it so much. I am dealing with some lack of sleep the last couple nights, only 4-5 hours the last couple nights… Now I am having anxiety about sleep and not getting to sleep and then that leads to something bad is going to happen because I am not getting a full nights sleep. It’s kind of ludicrous idea to a normal person, but to me it’s a major problem. So I just went downstairs and ran for 25 mins….I hope this helps. I really do appreciate your and your work, you are doing a huge service to us!

[@DrRamiNader]

Hi Brandon - I'm glad you found the video helpful. Thank you for your kind words and thank you for supporting the channel.

[@jurgitamataciunaite2437]

Unfortunately, I had all the experiences you mentioned in your video, doctor. It made me realize why I’m so anxious about my health. I’m looking forward to more videos on this topic.

[@DrRamiNader]

Glad you found the video useful and I hope you'll find the health anxiety video series helpful.

[@Donwon952]

Something that I’ve found that has affected my anxiety was caffeine. The increased heart rate, sometimes stomach aches, would make me obsessed with checking my pulse

[@chelseacstx3461]

Another excellent video. Thank you. I think my health anxiety and GAD has precipitated panic disorder and that's what I'm working on overcoming. I'm looking forward to more videos on this :)

[@DrRamiNader]

I'm glad you have found the videos helpful. Have you had a chance to take a look at some of the videos I've posted about GAD and panic disorder?

[@chelseacstx3461]

@@DrRamiNader Yes! I've even watched a couple of them multiple times. They're are extremely helpful, especially your video regarding CBT for panic disorder. The fear of fear model is something I think about daily.

[@DrRamiNader]

Hi Chelsea - that fear of fear model is so critical to understanding why panic attacks happen, so I'm glad it resonated with you.

[@jazmaj6417]

Thank you im on therapy for health anxiety.The challenge is quite a bite for me it activated 4 months ago and im learning how to minimalize it.I found your help big bcs i live in 3rd world country and cant afford quality help.God bless you for your contribution

[@DrRamiNader]

I'm very glad you have found the videos helpful and I wish you all the best in your efforts to feel better.

[@gillynanaof4899]

I have watched hundreds of videos relating to health anxiety/ health OCD. I applaud you for such an informative video. You really explain this horrendous condition well. Can you please please help me to stop what I do. Stop seeking reassurance about my health, without me thinking I'm seriously risking my health.

[@DrRamiNader]

I'm working on a series of videos on health anxiety and you can find them here: Health Anxiety (Hypochondriasis): kzbin.info/aero/PLG_XiSJeP3s2xNmqsyrCkIBmGXJ6voFi- Hope that helps.

[@gillynanaof4899]

@@DrRamiNader thank you

[@ruzabeztrna5883]

Ironically, it's scarier and more difficult for me to deal with these periods of anxiety than when I had serious health problems and my life was in danger

[@DrRamiNader]

Anxiety can be remarkably challenging and interfering in a person's life.

[@casario2808]

Me too. A therapist once told me he reckoned this is because we somehow feel calm (or calmer) and reassured when we have an actual true understanding/diagnosis and know we are getting help for it. But I totally hear ya

[@gwensmith3256]

Great video

[@DrRamiNader]

Hi Gwen - Glad you found it helpful!

[@hammadbinkhalid5030]

Very happy that this is a truly relatable video... Gave me a lot of insight to understand what this phenomenon is... But kindly explain what to do /how to behave ... To remedy these feelings of anxiety.

[@DrRamiNader]

I will be posting a number of videos on managing health anxiety and you may also want to check out the videos in this playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLG_XiSJeP3s2xNmqsyrCkIBmGXJ6voFi-

[@tinachxx110]

Yes we need to know then what do we do about it? Please I need help

[@pattylagasse]

I believe I have HA because as a teenager my grandmother got cancer and I watched her take medication to help her swallow and eat. She went through 3 years of only getting sicker and finally she died. Before knowing she had cancer she was told it was a sinus infection and was misdiagnosed. I have been through misdiagnosis myself for 2 years and since I don’t trust doctors and myself. I am deathly afraid of meds because of side effects I’ve encountered. I’m the last 7 years I’ve lived with a vestibular migraine condition that causes constant dizziness which scares me to death. I don’t know how to get my thoughts managed about my health worries. I thank you for sharing your information

[@DrRamiNader]

Sorry to hear about these experiences contributing to your health anxiety. I'm glad you have found the videos helpful and I have more videos about health anxiety coming soon.

[@tinachxx110]

Wait so what is the solution? Are we not suppose to look up any symptoms or know the worst case scenario of our diagnosis?

[@casario2808]

IMO its OK to look things up if you have an actual diagnosis (i.e. treatment). But very dangerous and bad idea to just look up "symptoms".

[@garysmith5966]

My father died of stomach cancer aged 47. I was 9 when he died. My mother suffered respiratory problems all her life and was always ill. I have for many years now worried about my health. It’s with me constantly. I’ve had digestive problems which I think is cancer it’s awful.

[@casario2808]

Thanks you Dr. Nader. Its a very interesting question. Do you think there could be a "lag" in some of these factors. In my case, I had a close loved one die (young) from cancer when I was 19. Also, my dad was a huge hypochondriac. But I did NOT develop HA until I was well into my 40s. In my 20s and 30s I had a few (relatively minor) medical issues, things that I just dealt with appropriately and while maybe some anxiousness it was not panic or HA at all (even though I was diagnosed with GAD/panic disorder and depression since 22) . It was no big issue at all. Which is why I am a bit bewildered why over the past 10 or 15 years I've developed progressively worse HA. Is it the depression and anxiety disorder just "adding up" to a tipping point? Was there a "lag" over my feelings over the death of my loved one back then (note: I did respond at the time by sort of denying or running away from it)? Or a lag in the genetic link with my parent. Its an interesting question. Dollars to donuts, the fact that its been over the last 15 years makes me wonder if its more about the internet and the onslaught of negative and unhelpful information. Or maybe a combination of factors. Either way, I do see the pitfalls of HA and I am committed to try to deal with them. Thanks for your videos, they are very practical and helpful.

[@gwensmith3256]

I watched my mom mental illness appear to me as sickness and that's how I experienced health anxiety. I became afraid to get sick

[@sadafsedaghat423]

Hello Dr. Nader, I've lost my mother because of methastasic breast cancer 3 weeks ago, I've been experiencing health anxiety since 2 years ago when my mother was diagnosed with cancer. Now, I have anxiety of my health anxiety. I know that anxiety can affect my health negatively, but I am not able to control that. What do you sugget about anxiety of anxiety? Does anxiety can cause cancer?

[@DrRamiNader]

I'm sorry for your loss. I have posted some videos about health anxiety on my KZbin channel , so I'd encourage you to take a look at those. Also, I'm not aware of any research suggesting that anxiety can cause cancer.

[@neginpedersen1506]

Amazing 👏

[@DrRamiNader]

Thanks 😄

[@chrisday1999]

With my health anxiety I'm constantly examining my body for problems. Checking constantly and would like some advice on how to stop. Also I constantly ask for reassurance from people. Any suggestions?

[@DrRamiNader]

I've got videos about this exact issue coming up in the next few months, so please keep an eye out for those

[@darcelledouman1912]

Dr Nadar, thank you for this information. Could health anxiety be contributing to the physical manifestation of anxiety? Or make existing health conditions worse?

[@DrRamiNader]

Yes, anxiety can lead to a variety of physical sensations that can mimic symptoms of a health condition. This results in a person interpreting the physical sensations as evidence of a medical condition, thereby making the anxiety itself worse. I'll be discussing this more in future videos.

[@candicecane5432]

Mine came from being a nurse and working with covid and then getting covid ! Since having covid and the SHOT, I have had heart palpitations in the middle of the night and racing heart beat, got all checked out and it was fine but I still thing there are things wrong with me, and I constantly doing research on how to prevent cancer or what if i have this or that. Always thinking Im going to die or have cancer or something else. The news does not help at all! So I dont watch it.

[@DrRamiNader]

Hi Candice, sorry to hear you are having a difficult time. The pandemic has certainly had a negative impact on health anxiety in people. This is the start of a series of videos on health anxiety, so I hope you will find the other videos helpful.