Can health anxiety cause physical symptoms?

Can health anxiety cause physical symptoms?

It Gets Tricky. Symptoms of anxiety produce very real physical symptoms: Dizziness, stomachaches, rapid heartbeat, tingling in the hands and feet, muscle tension, jitteriness, chest pressure, and the list goes on. These symptoms add fuel to the fire.

What health anxiety feels like?

Many people with health anxiety are often unable to function or enjoy life due to their fears and preoccupations. They obsess over bodily functions (breathing, heartbeat), physical oddities (skin blemishes), and physical discomfort (headaches, stomach aches, lightheadedness).

How do I know if it’s health anxiety or something serious?

Being preoccupied with having or getting a serious disease or health condition. Worrying that minor symptoms or body sensations mean you have a serious illness. Being easily alarmed about your health status. Finding little or no reassurance from doctor visits or negative test results.

Can health anxiety make you feel ill?

But the fact is, worrying can affect the body in ways that may surprise you. When worrying becomes excessive, it can lead to feelings of high anxiety and even cause you to be physically ill.

Can anxiety make you sick for days?

Chronic Illness Feelings – over the long term, chronic anxiety can also cause you to feel sick. This may relate to worrying situations that do not end, and is very often indicative of an anxiety disorder.

Do bananas help with anxiety?

Eating potassium-rich foods such, as pumpkin seeds or bananas, may help reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety. Pumpkin seeds are also a good source of the mineral zinc. One study carried out on 100 female high school students found that zinc deficiency may negatively affect mood.

What are the symptoms of anxiety in adults?

Your symptoms may cause you to withdraw from social contact (seeing your family and friends) to avoid feelings of worry and dread. You may also find going to work difficult and stressful, and may take time off sick. These actions can make you worry even more about yourself and increase your lack of self-esteem.

When to see a GP for anxiety disorder?

You should see your GP if anxiety is affecting your daily life or causing you distress. They can diagnose your condition based on your symptoms, which may include: If you’re diagnosed with GAD, there is treatment available. Read more information about treating GAD.

What to do if you have health anxiety?

People with health anxiety often seek comfort from friends and family or their doctor. This reassurance works at first and they feel a little less worried. This does not last and the worry is soon back. People can get into a habit of asking for reassurance very often.

Can a headache be a sign of anxiety?

Anxiety itself can cause symptoms like headaches or a racing heartbeat, and you may mistake these for signs of illness. for example, in the 1st column you may write, “I’m worried about these headaches” and in the 2nd, “Headaches can often be a sign of stress”