Being a Hypochondriac is something that can be overcome.
Hypochondriasis is a medical term that used to be called illness anxiety disorder (IAD).Between 5 and 9% of primary care patients had symptoms of IAD.People with IAD can have mild or no symptoms, yet still believe they have a serious or life-threatening illness.Their everyday lives are disrupted by their fear.Diagnostic tests and visits to a healthcare provider can show that there is no disease, but this does not alleviate the anxiety a person with IAD feels.People with IAD have a strong belief that they are sicker than they actually are.People with IAD can't accurately assess their feelings and symptoms in their own bodies, but there are ways to overcome that.
Step 1: You can get a medical evaluation from your doctor.
Take a list of your symptoms with you to the appointment.Inform your healthcare provider about your medical history if you have been ill as a child or have had traumatic events.You may be referred to a mental health professional by your primary care provider.
Step 2: You can find a healthcare provider.
The most difficult part of being a hypochondriac is that you always feel like there is something wrong with your body.The only person who can diagnose and monitor your symptoms is a trained physician.If you aren't in regular contact with a doctor, finding one should be your first step.
Step 3: A good relationship with your doctor is important.
It is likely that you will be getting to know your doctor well if you suffer from hypochondriasis.When you have an appointment, ask questions and get as much information as you can.Even if you feel embarrassed about your symptoms, be honest about them.You should give your physician a detailed medical history.As much information as possible is needed by your doctor.Keep an open mind.It is possible that you and your doctor will have disagreements.Sometimes your doctor will disagree with you on certain medical tests.You may feel as if your doctor isn't taking you seriously if he or she feels that you do not trust his or her judgement.Try to remember that your doctor is trying to help you even if you don't agree with him.Follow the treatment plan.Your doctor can't evaluate the plan if you deviate from it.This makes it difficult for the doctor to modify your treatment plan.Taking your prescriptions is part of the treatment plan.Taking extra pills doesn't build trust with your doctor.Up front about everything related to your treatment plan.
Step 4: Consider joining a support group
It is common to feel alone in your illness.Your doctor says you are fine, your therapist is telling you that you can't trust your own body sensations, and you're starting to wonder how it's possible you have been so wrong.It can be very overwhelming if you add it up.It is possible to better understand your condition by talking to other people.Group therapy can introduce you to people with similar conditions, as well as people who are just starting out in treatment.When you start to doubt whether you want to continue treatment, they can provide you with a support system.Someone who has had all of the same thoughts as you can challenge your thinking the best.You can give back to people who are helping you.You will become a resource for others who are struggling if you stick with your group.It can be very comforting to talk to someone who has suffered from the same fears and intrusive thoughts that you have.There are message boards for anxiety disorders on the internet.You can connect with others on these sites.You may find that you have many things in common with people with anxiety disorders.
Step 5: Talk to a trusted friend.
It can be hard to admit that you are obsessed with your health.You don't want to be a person who constantly complains to others about your illness.Things are worse if you are isolating yourself.It's important to keep a social life since many of the worst symptoms of hypochondriasis emerge when you're alone.It's not a substitute for treatment, but anything that helps you break up the worries before they overwhelm you is a positive resource.A close friend may be able to see patterns in your life that you don't.Did your symptoms get worse after the death of a loved one?Did you start to worry about your pains after you lost your job?You might be able to connect those dots with a trusted friend.
Step 6: Mental health professionals can be found.
Mental health therapy is an effective treatment for IAD.Ask your doctor to refer you to a counselor.The National Board for Certified Counselors has an online directory for people who don't have a doctor.
Step 7: You should be prepared for resistance.
If you are convinced that you have a serious medical issue, it is not a good idea to sit and talk with someone who is telling you not to.If you want to overcome the fear and anxiety that is causing you so much emotional turmoil, you need to trust someone who understands your condition.Allow yourself to be uncomfortable.Part of your treatment will involve forcing yourself to stop monitoring your physical symptoms, something that may fill you with anxiety if you have been closely attending to your symptoms for weeks or months.This process will cause you some pain.
Step 8: Do you have valid fears?
Your treatment will depend on your thinking.Your therapist will push you to examine your fears about your health if you are asked to stop taking your blood pressure or feel a lump on your body.There is a temptation to fall back into a pattern of self-monitoring.You should remind yourself that the process is working and that you are making progress.The change process is always going to be difficult if you don't make significant changes.
Step 9: You can discover what causes your anxiety.
Learning about what makes you particularly vulnerable to being overcome with worry about your health will be part of your counseling.During times of stress, you may feel more anxious.If you work with a therapist, you will be taught to identify the signs of negative thoughts so that you can stop them before they consume you.You should attend all of your treatment sessions.Inevitably, there will be days when you don't want to go to therapy, either because you're sick or you think the counseling is pointless.You have to resist this temptation.You will create a self-fulfilling prophecy if you don't take your treatment seriously.
Step 10: Don't be afraid to tell yourself about your condition.
Hypochondriasis is less researched than many mental illnesses and there is a body of research available if you dig a little.People have written about their hypochondria.The stories of how people came to understand their illness and how they learned to manage it can be found in numerous forums.If you read their stories, you will be able to identify many of the same thoughts and fears in your own life.Improve your understanding of your disorder by channeling your anxiety into it.It will never be enough to calm your mind because of the physical symptoms that are causing you so much worry.If you wanted to read up on hypochondriasis, you should have spent the time searching for evidence that your pains are signs of your doom.
Step 11: A journal is good for keeping a diary.
You can record your symptoms and experiences by writing down your thoughts.You will be able to prove your fears if your symptoms lead to nowhere.Write down your thoughts when you feel anxious or wish you had someone to talk to.Are you afraid of pain?Have you ever watched someone close to you suffer with an illness and been afraid to go through it?Where did those feelings come from?You can uncover the thinking patterns that are underlying your anxiety by exploring some of those bigger questions.Writing down your thoughts will allow you to track the progression of your symptoms and give you an opportunity to see what sorts of moods and situations make it more likely that you will enter a spiral of worry and anxiety.This can help you figure out what triggered you.Do you start to worry when you're at work?Are you more likely to stay up late at night looking for evidence of your illness when you are fighting with your partner?You can start to manage them more effectively if you can identify them.
Step 12: Ask your doctor if there is a medication that could help you.
Research shows that hypochondriasis is related to depression and anxiety disorders.If that's the case, you may need to try an antidepressants to treat your issues.Don't resist that treatment if that is the case.Serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed medications for hypochondriasis according to research.These drugs are not considered dangerous or habit-forming.The most effective course of treatment for hypochondriasis is a combination of medication and cognitive behavioral therapy.If you don't take both seriously, you may not make progress if you stop taking your medication after you feel better.
Step 13: Make changes to your diet.
The link between diet and hypochondria is still in its infancy, but a few general guidelines are recommended.You should eliminate all foods that you think could be bad for you.Symptoms that you could easily misinterpret are caused by food that causes bodily distress.It would be helpful to eat smaller meals throughout the day.Doing so will help to control your blood sugar and help with digestion, thus improving your mood and helping to reduce pains that could be misleading.Cut back on coffee.Stimulants are dangerous for people with anxiety issues, and it is difficult to control racing thoughts if you have two cups of coffee before bed.
Step 14: If you want to do yoga or exercise, try it.
The chemicals in your brain that make you feel good can be released from vigorous physical activity.You will be less likely to stay up until 4:00 a.m. if you tire out your body.Work out for at least 30 minutes a day.If you don't already have an exercise routine, you can start with 15 to 20 minutes of walking per day.Don't save all of your exercise for the weekend because it's more important to manage anxiety than the duration.You can spread your sessions throughout the week.
Step 15: It is a good idea to sleep on a schedule.
Hypochondriasis can fall into patterns where they don't get a sufficient amount of rest because of excessive worry and anxiety.It will be harder to think clearly and fight against the thoughts that have caused your problems when you are tired and cranky.Before going to bed, use relaxation techniques.A systematic relaxation exercise such as gradually tensing and releasing all of your muscle groups, one at a time, can be as simple as this.You might be able to deal with anxiety by taking a warm bath or listening to calming music.You should go to bed at the same time every night.It is difficult to maintain a sleep schedule when you are exhausted after a sleepless night and want nothing more than to sleep.If you can't go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, it can be hard to get back on track.Your body will adjust to a consistent schedule if you do.
Step 16: Disease symptoms and illnesses can be found on the internet.
It will only make your condition worse if you search for the cause of your symptoms.If you want to avoid using the web for this purpose, fill your time with other healthy activities.