Health Anxiety
Living with health anxiety can feel like you’re always on the brink of a medical crisis. Every normal bodily sensation becomes a loud alarm signaling danger, leading to constant fear and worry. At OCD & Anxiety Recovery, we specialize in helping adults and teens with health anxiety (Illness Anxiety Disorder) regain control over their lives.
“I felt a pinch in my shoulder while getting ready for work. What if I’m having a heart attack? I need to go to the ER now!”
“Every time I get a headache, my heart starts pounding, and I fear I’m having a brain aneurysm.”
“I read that prostate cancer is called the silent killer. I don’t notice anything out of the ordinary about my health but just because I don’t feel anything doesn’t mean I don’t have cancer!”
Health anxiety often creates physical sensations like stomach cramps, headaches, or shortness of breath, which only add to the confusion. These symptoms can feel like real medical symptoms, even when doctors reassure you there’s nothing wrong. Some examples include:
“I get a tightness in my throat every time I touch a fruit, even though I’ve been to the ER and they found no allergic reaction.”
“My stomach hurts every morning. The doctor says it’s anxiety, but what if it’s something else they’ve missed?”
These fears lead to avoidance behaviors that interfere with everyday life:
“I can’t go out to eat with friends anymore because I’m too anxious about having a heart attack.”
“I avoid driving because I’m constantly checking my pulse to make sure my heart rate is normal.”
“I’m putting off a necessary dental procedure because I’m afraid of an allergic reaction to anesthesia.”
Common Struggles with Health Anxiety:
Effective Therapy for Health Anxiety Near You
While living with health anxiety is overwhelming, the good news is that recovery is possible. At OCD & Anxiety Recovery, we use gold-standard cognitive behavioral therapies, such as Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you manage and overcome your health anxiety.
We will help you:
Understand how avoidance and anxious thoughts maintain your fears
Gradually face feared health situations to reduce the anxiety around them
Learn mindfulness techniques to help you stay grounded when anxious thoughts and feelings arise
Whether it's returning to social activities or living without the constant fear of medical emergencies, we’ve helped many people recover and live fulfilling lives. If you live in Dallas, Houston, or elsewhere in Texas, contact OCD & Anxiety Recovery today to begin your path to recovery.