When health anxiety becomes something else

Health worries can be understandable, especially when a symptom is new, persistent or frightening. A blog cannot determine whether a physical symptom is anxiety, a medical condition, both, or something else. New, severe, persistent or worrying symptoms should be discussed with an appropriate healthcare professional. Therapy is not a substitute for medical assessment. It can also be useful to notice what happens around the worry. Some people find themselves checking repeatedly, searching for reassurance, avoiding an activity or asking others to confirm that they are safe. Those behaviours can be important to discuss, but they do not establish a diagnosis or mean that a person should stop seeking medical care when it is needed. An assessment can consider the whole picture: the symptom itself, medical advice already received, sleep, stress, mood, practical pressures, previous experiences and the effect of worry on daily life. It may suggest medical review, specialist care, another service or, where appropriate, CBT based therapeutic support. Where CBT based work is suitable, it may explore thoughts, uncertainty and coping behaviours in context. It should not ask someone to ignore new symptoms, delay necessary medical care or run self directed exposure exercises. Any behavioural work should be collaboratively planned and paced with a clinician. The Lyceum offers CBT based support in West London and online where clinically appropriate. FAQ: Can health anxiety cause physical symptoms? Physical symptoms have many possible causes. Do not assume anxiety is the explanation; seek appropriate medical advice for new, severe, persistent or worrying symptoms. FAQ: Should I stop seeing my GP if I have health anxiety? No. Decisions about medical care should be made with an appropriate healthcare professional. FAQ: Can CBT help with health worry? CBT based support may be considered after assessment, but it cannot diagnose a medical condition or guarantee an outcome.