Tips for anxiety related to COVID-19

Any health concerns can be particularly worrying or increase existing health anxiety (hypochondria or illness anxiety disorder) or general anxiety. Health anxiety can be difficult to deal with as it is based on a real threat to wellbeing. Worrying about health is a rational worry to have and our health is often not something that is within our control, if you have an underlying condition like asthma. When there is any health alert it can cause you to worry more.

Symptoms of Health Anxiety

• Excessive Worry: Constantly worrying about having or developing a serious illness despite medical reassurance.

• Checking Behaviors: Frequently checking the body for signs of illness.

• Health-related Research: Spending a lot of time researching diseases and symptoms.

• Doctor Visits: Frequent visits to doctors and specialists for reassurance.

• Avoidance: Avoiding situations or activities for fear of health risks.

• Physical Sensations: Heightened awareness of bodily sensations, interpreting them as signs of serious illness.

• Impact on Daily Life: Significant distress and impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Causes of Health Anxiety

• Personality Traits: Some individuals may have a more anxious temperament.

• Family History: Having a family member with health anxiety can increase the risk.

• Past Experiences: Traumatic health experiences in oneself or loved ones can trigger health anxiety.

• Information Overload: Excessive exposure to medical information through media and the internet.

Tips for coping with anxiety related to COVID-19 from the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP);

https://www.bacp.co.uk/news/news-from-bacp/2020/23-march-anxiety-and-coronavirus-tips-and-strategies-to-help-you-cope/

If health anxiety is significantly impacting your life, it's important to seek help from a mental health professional.

Contact me for more information at info@forcounselling.co.uk.