Here is the FREE Health anxiety quiz www.paigepradko.com/healthanxietyquiz I want to help you to not only recover, but to thrive in your life. For more help for Health Anxiety: Join my OnLine Course: Rapid Recovery from Health Anxiety www.paigepradko.com/healthanxiety Coupon Code for 10% Savings on Course for my UA-cam Subscribers YTTENOFF
when you said " its very treatable. you dont need to live with this horrible fear " I literally bursted into tears with relief. thank you so much for this video. first piece of advice on health anxiety that I feel actually helped me. you're a life saver.
I am so happy to hear that, Taylor. I hope that you feel better. Should you ever need extra help or support, I do offer an online treatment course for health anxiety. There is more information on PaigePradko.com
This past month I experienced health anxiety for the first time, and it was horrible. I put my body and mind through so much stress, and I kept the cycle going by constantly googling and seeking reassurance. The googling of my “symptoms” only made things so much worse, and I reached a point where I just woke up with heart palpitations cause I was so anxious. I made the decision to completely ban googling and focused on mindfulness. The first day I felt great, continued with the second day, then something made me cave on the third day and 5 minutes of catastrophizing and googling ruined my entire day and nearly gave me a panic attack. Then I made a promise to myself that I would stop googling for a week, and set a specific time I could “worry” about a body sensation, so I wouldn’t think about it constantly. It’s been 2 weeks since then and I feel so much more at peace and reassured. I find that letting the anxiety wash over me, let it be present and really sticking to the no googling rule has made it easier. I have to be strict with myself and it took a lot of time, but compared to a few weeks ago where I couldn’t even be present when I was accompanied by others cause I was constantly worried, I’ve made a lot of progress. I think I’ve reached the acceptance point, like if something is wrong - then I’ll deal with it. Until then I’m gonna live my life. This series was really informative! Thank you so much!
Wow! I hope that all of my subscribers read your comment. You describe exactly how seeking reassurance actually reinforces the anxiety. I am sure it was difficult to stop the googling, but you experienced that just mindfully feeling anxiety and letting it decrease on it’s own....over the course of a week....the thoughts and anxiety calmed. Great job! Keep up the good work!! And thank you for such an awesome comment!
How reassuring was that pardon that word i did not realise what i have been doing to myself and have really suffer i am going to work on this as it has helped already
I've been dealing with horrid health anxiety lately. It has been plaguing me for almost a month. Googling helps in the short term, but then I start catastrophizing and end up on square one.
@@stefanbernhard2710 hey, I really stand by my comment from a year ago and now I don’t deal with health anxiety anymore. It didn’t take more than a couple of weeks using the method I described in my first comment, and I’ve never felt better. I really recommend stop googling cause it reinforces the anxiety.
I’m literally in tears... after watching both of these videos I’ve realized that I’m not alone. That this happens to many people! Also that I’m naturally doing all of these techniques before I even knew what was happening to me. I have always been aware that my fears are not based in fact and that it’s an overreaction of the mind and body. I feel like mine is trauma based as I’ve not had this my entire life. My son passed from SIDS in 2007 and then my daughter was diagnosed with brain cancer... and then I was bombarded by lots of very stress filled life experiences after that. I do feel blessed that I am aware that these thoughts are untrue and that I don’t let them stop me from living my life. But I still carry them around with me and I’m just ready and almost angry at them. If I’m aware they aren’t true then why do I obsess still?! Lol I’m so thankful for you and these videos! God bless you!
Oh my gosh, Christina, you have experienced loss and trauma. I am so sorry for the loss of your son, and your daughter’s tumor and the other traumas you have been through. Health anxiety can certainly exacerbated by health traumas in ourselves or in others. I hope that these videos help you to identify how you are reinforcing your anxiety and what you changes you need to make. Wishing you the best ❤️
(THE ULTIMATE CURE OF HEALTH ANXIETY) Hello I have also suffered the same problem and it has elevated a lot since lockdowns and always thinking about it ,but this video on the channel shaan Kassam titled "my symptoms were changing day by day" will definitely help you a lot and please once check the pinned comment and you ultimately find the CURE Link:-. ua-cam.com/video/WOAm_4doxB0/v-deo.html
Thank you for this!! I was just on the verge of panicking and when I tried that my anxiety almost immediately calmed. Thank you so much, I will continue using this!!
I just found out that I suffer from health anxiety. I went to the doctor 8 days ago and had a complete check up. My blood was checked, my heart and chest scanned and everything came back fine. I was fine for a few days then started to think what if they missed something. If there is really nothing wrong with my heart why do I sometimes feel sensations? Thanks for this video. It puts everything into perspective for me. I will try the methods you recommend and work on getting a therapist.
I’m not sure if I developed Health Anxiety before or after my issues started. So I was diagnosed with Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia January 2022, have only left my house 5 times in the last year or so, because I didn’t have a choice. Seeing a psychiatrist and psychologist, tried a bunch of medications. I really haven’t improved. Now it’s exactly as you describe, going out or even planning on going out is a 100% panic attack. Usually though, there’s not really a “reason”, it just happens. I have a few every day, not always severe but every once in a while I’m holding my phone for a half hour trying to talk myself down from calling an ambulance again. More often at night, than during the day. About a year ago, I noticed that little things that should be normal will shoot my anxiety into turbo mode. I don’t obsess over health conditions or look things up, in fact I avoid watching anything health related now. Which is ironic considering I worked as a veterinary technician for 5 years and was going to college to become a Physician’s Assistant. Obviously, I can’t do either of those things anymore. I can’t even go to the grocery store or walk my dog. So on top of the Agoraphobia and the random out of nowhere panic attacks, I’m now having panic attacks triggered by tiny insignificant or even imagined body sensations. To the point that this week I had something in my eye or something, I went from reading something to an area of my vision blurry and being unable to read letters in a specific spot. I was convinced I was having a stroke. I’m 33 years old, thin, don’t smoke or drink or anything. Yet anytime I feel dizzy or think I feel dizzy, I’m convinced there’s something catastrophic going on with my heart or brain. I had to change the color of the light bulbs in some of the rooms in my house, because the “cool” tone looked funny and would trigger a panic attack. It doesn’t help that one of my symptoms during severe panic attacks is derealization and tunnel vision. My question is, how common is it to develop health anxiety because of panic disorder and agoraphobia?
First, I am truly sorry for everything that you are going through. These are very difficult conditions to cope with and to treat. In my experience, the symptoms of health anxiety, panic disorder and agoraphobia get combined into a big stew of anxiety symptoms. And, in your case, which is not unusual, you experience dpdr symptoms as part of panic disorder. They seem to be combined in almost all cases of people with agoraphobia with panic disorder. The focus on bodily symptoms of anxiety (anxiety sensitivity) likely cause health anxiety to increase as well. I typically begin treatment on health anxiety first, because certain behavior changes are necessary. Then, move to treating panic disorder and dpdr, and as the treatment is progressing, exposures are incorporated to begin working on agoraphobia. It is a lengthy treatment process for people with severe panic disorder. The recovery time all depends on what levels of anxiety can be tolerated. I do have therapy resources at paigepradko.com and a newsletter where I cover these topics weekly. You may also want to check out my playlists for health anxiety, panic and agoraphobia as well. I am posting an instructional video on dpdr recovery in 10 days that you won’t want to miss.
How blessed and blissful you are , I have suffered from health anxiety since last 24 years I am 42 now . What you have suggested seems to be the only solution , acceptance of this fear and taking it along and letting it be is one of the best ways I guess . I pray that no one ever suffers from such a sick feeling like health Anxiety . Lots of love peace and respect for the entire human race and all that God has created .
Thank you! I've been trying to eliminate the compulsive behaviours and the challenging part is having irrational thoughts of "but what if this time I truly have something serious?". Dealing with the unknown is what gets me. Your advice is so helpful!
Yes, this is exactly the thought that people with Health Anxiety have. I am so thankful that you left this comment. Stay with that anxious thought without doing anything to comfort yourself and no compulsive behaviors. The anxious, fearful feeling will go down on it’s own. Every time it comes up, feel the anxiety, and let the anxiety go down on it’s own. This is Exposure Therapy and your brain will eventually learn to habituate and not associate fear or anxiety with the fearful thought. You are allowing yourself to tolerate the feeling of uncertainty and doubt. This practice will relieve the anxiety. Thank you again for your comment.
I've had chest pains since I was in high school. Doctors have examined me, done EKG's, and everything comes out normal. Just a few weeks ago, I experienced my first panic attack, believing I might be having a stroke. It has been difficult living with constant symptoms of nothing. Thank you for providing these tips for us. I will try them.
I understand and I am sorry that you are suffering with this. I will be making more videos to help with health anxiety. Many can turn this around once they stop checking body symptoms, stop googling and researching and stop seeking reassurance from doctors and others. Others need a bit of exposure treatment and we do this by listening to exposure scripts. Here is a video on how to prepare a script. Eventhough this video was for people with ocd, health anxiety is treated the same way. ua-cam.com/video/HrjM091rcXc/v-deo.html. I hope you feel better.
Thank you so much for this video. I’ve struggled with health anxiety for most of my 20s I’m nearly 30 now. Its been so confusing and so scary. I’ve developed this obsession with trying to stay super healthy and to be honest I don’t enjoy it most of the time. Obsessively drinking and eating healthy, forcing myself to work out. Avoiding certain foods. Sometimes I just want to eat and pizza without thinking I’m going to have high cholesterol or miss a workout without thinking I’ll be super unfit the next day or that my body will shut down because I’m not staying active. Unfortunately, despite the healthy lifestyle I’ve actually made myself physically sick because of my health anxiety but I’m honestly still very grateful for this video. I really want to start enjoying health in a happy, natural and mindful way and not feel forced to be because of what goes on in my mind!
You are not alone. This is something that many people struggle with. But, you can make progress through exposures. What you are describing is not an eating disorder, it is more related to OCD. Some of my videos on OCD and doing ERP will help you. You can make great progress by challenging yourself daily by eating or drinking something that is outside of your normal controlled foods. Your anxiety will go up when you take a bite or a drink. But, if practiced regularly, your fear response will die down, and you will learn to allow yourself more variety. ERP ua-cam.com/video/JlVID74KTOM/v-deo.html, Strategic Exposure ua-cam.com/video/3sMpRuPi04A/v-deo.html, maximize exposure ua-cam.com/video/439l0c-P3lg/v-deo.html
Iv had health anxiety for the last year or so. I thought i was having a heart attack 1 time, went to a and e and everything checked out fine. Now every few days i think im having a stroke. I hate these body sensations i have tension headaches and dizziness a lot. I just want to feel normal again so sick of this 😔
I am sorry that you are experiencing this hyper sensitivity to your body sensations. Try to notice when your brain is interpreting a sensation as “dangerous”. Say to yourself, “I am having a thought that.....”. This slows down your reaction because you are noticing a thought instead of immediately thinking the thought is true. Try to welcome the feelings and sensations and do not try to “not have them”. That just encourages the brain to think that they must be dangerous if he doesn’t want to have them. The higher your anxiety gets, the worse a sensation can feel, because our muscles tighten and our heartbeat and breathing changes with increased adrenaline and cortisol. Resisting anxiety makes anxiety worse. Accept it, observe in mindfully, label your thoughts, allow you anxiety to come and go without overreacting to the changes anxiety produces in the body. Those changes may be uncomfortable, but, they are not harmful. The more you allow the sensations and anxiety to come and go, the more the brain will not identify them as dangerous.
I’m hearing you Alan. I’ve had health anxiety for about 35 years. I have a cycle of fears that might start with a headache that’s a bit more intense than usual so I think, ok brain tumour, then heart palpitations so it’s heart attack or stroke and then bowel problems which my brain immediately tells me is colon cancer. I get each thing checked as it happens and of course nothing. Blood tests are fine, scans are fine and I’m about to have a colonoscopy to confirm a probable diverticulosis diagnosis but I can’t get away from thinking cancer every damned time. The dr says I’m making myself sick and he’s right! I’m taking more years off my life than any disease could ever take. And like you I just want to feel normal but it’s harder than just trying to have positive thoughts because the negative ones are hardwired into my brain. Get on top of your anxiety now, don’t be like me and have it so long it’s like there’s no way back. Good luck x
I have the worst health anxiety ever!!!!Everytime I feel tingling or numbness I automatically think it’s a stroke or a blocked blood vessel in the brain. I’m exhausted of thinking the worse case scenario. Then my panic attack start and I feel even worse. Been to the er plenty of times. I’m embarrassed to tell my husband to take me constantly he tells me over and over it’s stress or just to relax but it’s uncontrollable. I just had an echo of my heart and they said it’s perfect. Ok I felt great and then the neurologist called me to check up on my migraines and now wants to schedule a MRA and MRI and i’m freaking out!!! Like why is there something wrong and i’m having the worse panic attack. This is so exhausting
This video popped up as a suggestion and im sooo grateful. Ive had anxiety and ocd for years but this year after my daughter got very sick with the flu ive been in the worst health anxiety episode of my life. I got a sinus infection and took some sinus max which spiked my blood pressure and i went into full tremor panic attacks. From this point i went to the er for an ekg and they said im fine im having a panic attack. I tried to convince myself i was okay for a couple weeks but then developed some widespread twitches. Googled (NEVER GOOGLE!!) and of course diagnosed myself with ALS or MS. got to the point i was convinced my doctors (including a primary and neurologist who both ran plenty of tests) were missing something when they told me its just anxiety and stress. So ive been stuck in this cycle of keep my anxiety sky high, feel muscle twitches, obsess over those twitches and fear death, then repeat. It has been THE WORST cycle and im just finally 5-6 months later feeling like i will truly be okay and anxiety can present in a lot of different ways and health anxiety doesnt have to win and ruin our lives! Thank you for this video!!
I’m so sorry you went through that cycle. It sounds like classic health anxiety as the brain always seems to choose the worst case scenarios and convinces you they are legitimate concerns. If you need help or support for health anxiety, I have resources at paigepradko.com
Thank you Paige! I've been dealing with health anxiety for months on end and was constantly seeking reassurance. I had no idea that these compulsive behaviors were reinforcing my anxiety. Eliminating these from my life has made my life so much better and I can live with ease now.
Hi Paige, thank you for both of your videos on health anxiety! I've had it for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I would check myself for appendicitis every night before going to bed.. even back then I was dead afraid of hospitals and illnesses. My anxiety dropped during my mid-twenties and mid-thirties, but with the pandemic, it came back and skyrocketed to the point of becoming unliveable. I do sometimes have body sensations that trigger my anxiety, typically I have found myself having trouble breathing these past two years, but I usually calm down by telling myself that it's just my anxiety acting up. The worst for me are the intrusive thoughts I'm having from the moment I wake up till the moment I go to bed and finally fall asleep. I've developped a crippling fear of death that I can't seem to be able to get out of my head. I'm terrified I might get sick in a year, five years or ten years. And when it's not fear of cancer, which I can sometimes manage by reassuring myself I'm already doing everything I can do by leading a healthy lifestyle, then it's fear of things that could happen to me without a warning like a brain aneurysm or a stroke. And this is exhausting.. it's like waiting for impending death. In fact, I think this sums it up: I've developped a fear of an impeding deadly stroke. And I don't know how to cope with that. I'm feeling depressed and hopeless on a daily basis and I need it to change. To add up to my anxiety, I'm actually 3 1/2 months pregnant, and believe it or not, lately every TV serie I watch or every podcast I listen to seem to contain at least one story about someone who lost their mother in their childhood.. So I guess, my question is, where do I start? What kind of therapy should I try?
Hi Sabrina. First, let me say congratulations on your pregnancy as nothing is more exciting than bringing a child into the world. And, I am so very sorry that you are suffering from health anxiety. If you are interested in help, please contact me on PaigePradko.com and leave me a message there. What you are experiencing is treatable and I want the very best for you so that you are absolutely feeling great and happy and ready to welcome your beautiful child into the world.
I honestly had to check your name to make sure I didnt write this myself. EVERYTHING you said is 100% me. I am also terrified of Drs. I just newly developed a fear of flying! Its so awful living this way. I hope your pregnancy went beautifully!
I just started having health anxiety this February and it has been the most exhausting, physically and emotionally few months. It all started with chest pain and it needed up being I do suffer from PVC’s but I can’t get myself to stop worrying that something else is wrong or they missed something. I definitely have obsessed over checking my heart rate and now suffering from what I think are tension headaches but can’t help from thinking I have a brain tumor. I have 2 boys and really needing to get this under control. Thank you so much for the video.
I am so sorry, Christy. I have treated so many clients with exactly what you are describing. I am in the process of creating an online therapy class so that more people can get help. I will let my subscribers know when it is available. When seeking help, therapists trained in ocd will be helpful, others may not have the training. I hope you feel better soon. 🙏❤️
The advice in your videos is spot on, it's hard when you know what you must do but still have fear pop up constantly. My problem is my anxiety symptoms mostly eye related symptoms now have been constant for a year and a half so my fear keeps popping up because it hasn't gone away. I know I will get past this I have faith in my body, it is funny how different we all are yet the same in so many ways
Hi Chris. Yes, we have differences when it comes to the specifics of our concerns, but similarities when you look at the health anxiety cycle and reinforcing, compulsive behaviors like body checking and reassurance seeking and avoiding behaviors. I have share more health anxiety resources in my weekly newsletter at paigepradko.com if you are interested.
I was spiraling really bad when I found your videos. Thank you for this. I wouldn't even know how to start therapy, or if I could afford it, and I've been struggling with this for so long.
I am glad you found the videos on health anxiety, Daniel. I will be making more videos to help people with health anxiety, because I have noticed a big increase in symptoms during the pandemic.
Thank you for this series of videos! Most of the other things I've read on why reassurance seeking isn't good just say it "doesn't last" and don't explain why it reinforces anxious behaviors.
I am glad you liked it. I try to focus my videos on what I do in therapy and what has helped my clients. I am glad you found it helpful. Feel free to share it and thank you for your comment.
I have health anxiety been dealing with it for the past 3 months it’s been kicking my ass but this video gave me faith that i can beat it and reading the comments seeing other ppl going through the same thing as me takes so much off my shoulders 🙏🏾
I am sorry you are going through that Ricky. I agree. It does help to see that we are not alone in our fears and struggles and just being aware of our common humanity helps. 🙏❤️
I'm 61 and was diagnosed with health anxiety during lockdown; course I didn't believe it - I knew I had a sever undiagnosed heart problem ... since I was 21! I've suffered on and mostly off my whole life until Covid where is has become quite debilitating. I never understood the OCD enabling until I watch this ... OMG thank you SO much, I do ALL of those reassuring techniques. I also practice mindfulness which does help however alone its not enough during a full anxiety moment. Thank you so much X
I am truly sorry that you have suffered so much. I left you a message about my course called, Rapid Recovery from Health Anxiety. Please contact me at paigepradko.com if I can be of any help.
Yes, the pandemic has really exasperated health anxiety across the globe. We have to tolerate the anxiety and follow guidelines of safety. No more, no less. Do not excessively search for symptoms and updates on the virus. Your job is to accept and tolerate the anxiety without seeking reassurance. I wish you the best.
I understand that you feel. I had living with anxiety for many years Affect several aspects of my life ñike my relations with job, family and girfriend. Now i can say that i recover a litle armony
Thank you for this video. I have suffered for years with health anxiety. You’re the first person I’ve heard that said seeking reassurance actually reinforces and continues the cycle of anxiety!!
Hi Aaron. I am so sorry that you have suffered for years. Here are some links that you may be interested in: Health anxiety quiz www.paigepradko.com/healthanxietyquiz OnLine Course: Rapid Recovery from Health Anxiety www.paigepradko.com/healthanxiety
I am so thankful for someone like you, Paige. I am 55 years old and going through post menopause, a totally different topic. However, it feels since I am getting older, hormones and Hugh blood pressure I feel every little pain is related to my heart it has been horrible for me to put a smile on my face. I have2 teenage kids and all I focus on is trying to be strong in front of them. But, once alone I am either in an anxious mode and thinking my heart is not healthy because I have high blood pressure and chest pains. even my check bone gets tight at times. My GP says is anxiety and all my symptoms are normal and to take a Xanax. But, that is not the answer. I really just want to smile again and know I can somehow rationalize with my anxiety. Aging is not easy but it part of life and I just want to be ok. Thank you for letting us know that we are not alone. I have subscribed to your website. Looking forward in starting your courses.
Welcome to my channel, Patricia. You are indeed not alone. Yes, we are going to age but we can enjoy our lives and focus on what we care about instead of fearing health issues. You may benefit greatly from my course www.paigepradko.com/healthanxiety
Thankyou so much for the video. It was really well explained and gave me so much hope. Health Anxiety has been overwhelming me lately and as you explained it I can see how my compulsive behaviours have been making it worse. Very grateful to have found your channel, I really appreciate it.
I want to cry because every sensation I’m on the panic mode and I think the worst and I don’t know what triggered this on me but I had this all true years but I now finally realised I do this behaviour and is horrible feeling thinking I’m gonna die. I want to also thank you for educating us 🥲🙏❤️
Although I catch myself obsessing about my health during the day it is unbearable at night. I will have multiple panic attacks in a single night. I get stuck in an endless loop of hoping I dont start obsessing, which triggers the obsession, having a panic attack, coming down and realizing it's just my anxiety. Then it all starts again. It's really exhausting and even worse because I dont tell anyone out of fear I will cause THEM anxiety about my health.
Hi Julia. It does sound like you have health anxiety that can be very obsessive like OCD. If you would like more help in treating it, I have an online therapy course for people suffering from health anxiety coming out at the end of the month. I take you through step by step through treatment. If you are interested in learning more, please email me at info@paigepradko.com
First of all thank you for leaving the link under my paranoid post on reddit :) It all does sound exactly like what I experience. And also this made me realise something. Sometimes when I'm falling asleep I feel like I um..forget to breathe...and I inhale quickly and panic. But these two videos made me realise that what I'm feeling is my breath slowing down because I'm falling asleep and my brain thinks it's wrong. Funny how realising it is kinda reassurance in a way but a healthy one if it makes sense? Thank you again, I will try all the recommendations from your video :)
You’re welcome. Thank you for your kind words. Learning how to cope with our worries and fears is a process that has it’s ups and downs. Stay with consistent strategies and overtime, your fears will diminish. 😊
This is so, so helpful. Thank you for making this video. I have been struggling with health anxiety for the past year and have been trying to find strategies to overcome on my own. But your guidance here is so valuable and insightful. I would like to try some of these strategies!
I know this video is a few years old but I have health anxiety and my most recent episode has been the hardest for me to get through. I have a sudden fear of developing a severe mental illness and losing control of my thoughts and actions. My psychologist has assured me over and over again that it’s my health anxiety but when I feel any negative emotions I jump to the worst case scenario. I cant read or hear about stories of suicide or harm without going into panic and thinking about it for days. It was a story like that triggered my panic and I’ve been trying to overcome it for about 2 months now. I have many good days but a lot of things are triggers like feeling sad, anxious, etc. Everyday emotions can become triggers. It’s definitely the scariest fear I have. I just have to keep reminding myself it’s health anxiety
I am sorry you are going through that. What you are describing is health anxiety OCD and what we call harm OCD. These are very treatable conditions. I cover both of those themes and how to do ERP for them in my OCD course. Here is a link: www.paigepradko.com/ocd
@@PaigePradkoTherapy this is what my psychologist is telling me. It’s truly the most awful feeling and scary. I do so well when I meditate and keep busy but I feel like I take 10 steps back when I hear of something triggering and think all this meditating and keeping busy can’t really be helping me. I need to get out of my own head
I had found a lump on my body and immediately went to Dr. Google. Of course, I convinced myself I had cancer and I was a goner. I went to the doctor and he said he was 99.9% sure that it wasn’t cancer. I still left the office doubting him and thinking he must’ve missed something. I hate this anxiety. At times I will calm myself down but it always flares back up. I wish everyone luck on here for defeating this disorder. I’m trying my best to battle my own.
I think I always had some level of HA ever since I nearly died of laringitis when I was young, but ever since I had my first panic attack not one day seems to go by without me asking myself If Im breathing fine, if im shaking, if im dying. thankfully I think Im learning how to live with my anxiety before it got too strong
thank you for this. i recently started struggling with this, it scared the living hell out of me. i get odd sensations in my chest and i instantly freak out and assume i’m having a heart attack. i know these thoughts are irrational, i’m 23, relatively active, and don’t have too poor of a diet. i know i’m not at risk, but i can’t stop thinking it for some reason. your video helped a lot, because i don’t want to see the doctor as i’m embarrassed to go in for something that i’m making up. i will try meditation, no reassurance, and acceptance. i really appreciate this video and the fact that i am not the only one that experience this. i felt so alone and crazy because of it
Never be embarrassed to visit a doctor if you feel unsure about your health. That’s what they’re there for. And never be afraid to get a second or even a third opinion.
Thank you so much for this video, it really does give me hope that I’ll be able to overcome my health anxiety with the right strategies in place. Being stuck at home due to the current quarantine situation has unfortunately made it easy for my mind to wander and amplify my anxiety greatly. Already had two telehealth visits because thought I was having lung issues (which were sensations that eventually went away by themselves), and with overall anxiety and bad quality sleep I’ve been having new sensations that I’m swaying and on a boat that won’t seem to go away unless I’m distracted. Doctor had prescribed Xanax but trying my best not to use it often. Feel like I’m at wits end, but watching your videos on health anxiety has given me a better understanding of the constant loop, and I am definitely going to try some of your mentioned strategies and also to force myself to stop Googling.
I am sorry that you are experiencing this increased anxiety. This is most definitely a difficult time for those with Health Anxiety. These strategies will help you, but I want to acknowledge that this pandemic is like one long, challenging exposure for people with Health Anxiety. Hoping you feel better.
Thanks a lot for this video. I have had a very rough month because of just a fever which I misinterpreted (catastrophised) as Rabies, COVID, and whatnot. I will follow through your techniques to ensure a better life without fear.
I've had the EXACT same issue the past week. I've felt a bit weak and had anxiety all week and I've convinced myself it's covid or rabies, which is really hard to calm down from.
my husband use to work in big company one time i had this worry about localized pain that comes and goes,went to the hospital Dr ordered right away an MRI,bamm got the amswer problem solved,sadly now its not the case,coz dr would be yeah just take this and go home,eventhough your health concern has been happening for many months..thats why people worry they don't have the answer.
Paige your videos are very helpful. I have had bouts of health anxiety for over a year and googling makes it ten times worse. I have stopped googling and all social media accounts. I feel the benefits for this. My parents had health issues when i was growing up and i think every sensation i get i link to their issues and think its hereditry.
Thank you for this video! I’ve only recently realized that I am suffering from health anxiety and just understanding more about this issue has helped me take control of it a little better. Your video included Helpful suggestions for possible therapeutic approaches that I think I will try.
Great video and wonderful lady. I’ve been to the GP hundreds of times in over 6 years, ER and cardiologist. Nothing bad was ever found. I’m still living with the fear every day that there’s something wrong with my heart. I can feel the beats, missed beats and general flip flops every day. Funny when I’m flat out busy I never feel anything. Usually after eating it’s the worse. I check my pulse and I can feel the pauses! How can I not worry in all fairness?!!!!!😬
I realize that this is not easy. I cannot tell you how many people that I have seen with exactly the same symptoms. Once they no longer are afraid of their sensations and no longer check their heart and pulse, and no longer google symptoms or visit doctors or have tests, their fear center of their brains calm down and their symptoms die down as well.
@@U2022-k9m I’m doing very well. I’d a massive nocturnal meltdown mid March but since then I’m doing better than ever! Just convincing myself that I’m okay and life has risks, people do die but I’ll take my chances. Throwing yourself into work and hobbies, fitness, reading is great. Avoid unhealthy minded people that drain you. Don’t be afraid to say no to people especially family. If you get the all clear just trust the medics and take life by the horns. Anxiety is a habit, it’s just a result of how you perceive things. You do have to experience it. But one say you’ll just realise it’s a bully. Ignore the bully and he goes away. God bless.
I’ve been getting terrible tension headaches where I keep reinforcing compulsive behaviors and I definitely see why my head keeps feeling tight. I’m going to take your advice and stop those behaviors and hopefully I can relax better!
I am so sorry about your headaches. It does take some time for our brains to calm down and learn that nothing is wrong. If you need more help on Exposure Therapy, I have a few videos coming up in a few weeks that get into more detail about how to do exposure therapy. But, by stopping the compulsive behaviors and letting your anxiety come down on it’s own will help. Thank you for your comment.
Thank you for this video- I have suffered with health anxiety for a lot of my life, going back to even being a child. I had a couple of years of being “normal” and not suffering from health anxiety so much, however always being health conscious but not to an extreme level. At the beginning of this year I had a major stressful life event happen to me, and since then I feel this stress has opened the flood gates to my health anxiety coming back. Already this year I’ve been for an MRI thinking I had throat cancer, now I’m awaiting a scan for the breast clinic, you can guess which illness I think I have now! I live in England, UK so it’s a lot easier to be sent for “scans” and “further tests” because of the NHS which fuels my anxiety so much because I think “oh my god the doctor thinks there’s definitely something wrong with me to send me for a scan” and that’s the situation I’m in right now. I drive everyone insane with it, my friends, family, my fiancé everyone gets annoyed at me because of my health anxieties. I truly wouldn’t wish it on anyone, it’s totally life ruining an controls everything you do and think. I managed to get over it a few years ago by stopping the googling and started to ignore bodily sensations and it worked! But here I am back in the health anxiety hole.
I am so sorry, Kayl. It can flare up at different times in our lives. After your scan, begin to cope with your anxiety again by not seeking reassurance or googling symptoms. Health anxiety will quiet down when we stop our behaviors of tests and scans and appointments. Wishing you the best.
Paige Pradko LPC NCC thank you- I feel like I’m loosing my mind however, constantly stuck in the grey area of ‘is this my health anxiety or am I really dying and my symptoms are real’ I can never quite work out which one is which. Such a crippling mental health illness.
It might help if you can focus on tolerating the feeling of not knowing. Feel what that feeling is to not know if you have this illness or that one. Feel what it is like to not know what that body sensation means. We have to learn to hold and tolerate those feelings because as humans, we never have certainty of anything. You are living with uncertainty in so many other areas. Learning to tolerate uncertainty in the area of you health will improve with intention and practice. It will give you your life back.
My health anxiety is through the roof recently. I’ve had it, I think since I was a child but with lockdown etc it’s becoming almost unbearable. I even bought an blood oxygen and glucose testing kit because I’ve been trying Keto. I’m literally sick of being this way. The few times I feel ok I start feeling anxious about my kids or my husband or even the family pets.
I am so sorry, Tess. This pandemic and all of this media coverage about illness has really exacerbated people’s health anxiety. Try your best to identify and accept the waves of anxiety without researching symptoms or taking health checks. Allow the anxiety to come and go without reacting to it.
It’s funny how you talk about seeking reassurance from the Internet, checking blood pressure and checking pulse as a compulsive behavior People with health anxiety use. As you had said those things and I’m listening thinking to myself yup that’s me spot on!
You are not alone, Andrew. It is difficult to give up that symptom checking, but, it is necessary to get better. My clients even have to stop using their Apple watches and other devices. It fuels their health anxiety. I am leaving a playlist of a few more videos. In the Q & A video, I share a client’s script for health Anxiety that he listened to daily and it helped him stop those behaviors. ua-cam.com/play/PL1lUhuKpYUYonn-zlZxzTRR8V4myEHgCY.html
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Thank you for the reply! I appreciate the link as well 😁 also ive stopped wearing my apple watch for just that reason,sometimes something as simple as a false feart rate during anxiety will spike wandering thoughts
Thank you it really helpd me, i always have health issues n feel sick n serious evrytime n i always think I will die n no one could guide or teach me like u did in dis video so thank u so mch and please if u can make more videos on health anxiety.
Hi Vikato. Here is a playlist for health anxiety ua-cam.com/play/PL1lUhuKpYUYonn-zlZxzTRR8V4myEHgCY.html. And here is a free health anxiety assessment www.paigepradko.com/healthanxietyquiz.
Hi Sundus. Thank you. I am not sure if you saw my latest videos on Health anxiety. Here is a playlist ua-cam.com/play/PL1lUhuKpYUYonn-zlZxzTRR8V4myEHgCY.html
Thanks for the video..I am facing health anxiety now..I have slightly elevated bp and I keep imagining things like what if I get a stroke or heart attack in future because of it..when I read many men die at heart attack in their 40's, it makes me fearful what if it happens to my husband suddenly..even if I get back pain, I worry if I may have kidney problem as I am not drinking water enough..because of this, my life is not happy and constantly overthinking..I am worried that these thoughts itself will make me sicker 😒
Hi Harini. I am so sorry that you are experiencing health anxiety. I have been working for several months on an online therapy course for people with this condition. It will be available very soon, hopefully at the end of the month. If you are interested in learning more, please email me at info@paigepradko.com
My clinical psychologist diagnosed me as GAD and health anxiety is my worst, everyday having symptoms, scaning body sensation, focusing on my breathing pattern whether I'm breathing or not, multiple doctor visit, but still every day is my battles, sometimes I wanna hurt myself. I'm newly married 35 dude and my relationship is getting sucks because of my mental issues. I'm done.
I hope you are making progress, Pedro. You will have to stop all of those checking body sensations and googling and doctor appointments if you want your anxiety to calm down. I wish you the best. Health anxiety is horrible.
Thank you. 3 years dealing with this after having a heart diagnosis of wpw, had a successful ablation but now have PAC and PVCs. every sensation instantly takes me back to my event even though i have an implanted heart monitor that reads every beat and drs say my PVC/PACs are equal to what theyd expect to see if they pulled a random person off the street, it's difficult to put those experiences in the past and trust that everything's okay. Trying though.
I often work with people with a history of cardiac problems, surgeries and traumas related to past heart attacks or heart conditions. Even though their cardiologists have given them a clean bill of health, the fear and panic remain and even feels automatic. I have recently worked with a client who went through almost word for word what you are describing. You have become so tuned into every sensation of your heart and unfortunately, your brain interprets the sensations as dangerous...therefore causing fear and anxiety. With my clients, I use a combination of skills that I teach for panic disorder. I recommend going to my playlist page and watching the 2 videos I made on Panic attacks. The skill most often helpful with what you are describing is what I call, "welcoming the panic". I even have clients create the heart sensations on purpose as a form a exposure therapy called Interaceptive Exposure Therapy. I also have a video on how to do this type of exposure. You can find this under Exposure Therapy on the Playlist page as well. I wish you the best in learning to accept and not react to your body sensations.
I have the same anxiety but it’s from a trauma that happened to another person I was close to and now I’m terrified it’s happening to me. It’s terrible but we can get through this!
Thank you so much for all your time and effort into helping us all. I had a panick attack 15 yrs ago and was sure it was my heart. Had every test done all good but developed all the bad habits you describe , BP check's, pulse checks and hypervigilance towards my heart. I still workout and enjoy life but it still rears its ugly head. Not sure what I'm missing to get rid of it. Thanks for your time and if you do phone consults let me know.Rick
Our body’s nervous system has the ability to create the sensations of a heart attack. I understand the body sensations and the panic symptoms that ensue. It takes time and deliberate effort to refuse to act upon the panic and body sensations. Your brain still believes you are in danger and is trying it’s best to throw everything at you to convince you to get help. You have to decide ahead of time that you are not going to fall for this trick of the mind and body any longer. It is indeed Hell....but it gets better as you set your resolve to not give in to the fear and anxiety. I can tell that you are committed to getting better, or you would not be watching this video. I may do some consulting work in the future. Right now, I have a busy practice in Michigan, but have seen some people that have found me on UA-cam (which always surprises me). I will let you know if/when I decide to do consultations. 😊
Thank you so much for your reply. I go to Detroit every week ! Lol. Please do let me know if you do I have insurance or cash. Thank you again for your a time your a very caring person. Rick
I’ve had health anxiety since I was a kid along with other anxiety. I was born into domestic violence which explains it. My issue now is that I have serious health issues from years of being stuck in fight or flight. I have Advanced Osteoporosis at age 57 and have recently had fractures to my thoracic and lumbar spine. I’m high risk for fracture and am in constant alert mode because every move I make matters including coughing and sneezing. This is real and it’s very scary.
I am so sorry, Karen. That sounds terrible and painful. People often have health anxiety with and without medical symptoms and medical diagnosis. I can help you with your obsessive worries and anxiety in my course called Rapid Recovery from Health Anxiety. Should you have an interest in learning more, please visit PaigePradko.com
Amazing information...thank you so much for all your great help!!! Please help me with my husband’s health anxiety as I am going crazy.... He doesn’t believe, he has an issue. It is all real to him. Every day there is a health issue with him. He is diagnosed with depression - hypochondriac. (Medication for + 20 years) He has health issues (diabetes, high blood pressure, Crohn’s, cholesterol) He was also diagnosed with throat cancer 5 years ago. It went away after radiation therapy. Last year 2019 his cancer came back and had laryngectomy (removed of larynx). He is fine now but constantly worries. I try to help him but I feel depressed and down. - a lot of sleepless nights and worries I am in general an optimistic enthusiastic person but I find this situation extremely miserable and very toxic for my sanity.. and the relationship. What to do?
I can understand how difficult this must be for both of you. Health anxiety acts like OCD and people can become obsessed, especially if it began with a health related trauma, which it did in your husband’s case. Reassuring him will only make it worse, and reinforce the cycle. Calmly explain to your husband that although you love him, you will not do anything to reinforce the obsessive cycle of health anxiety. You will not take him or join him going to doctor appointments, you will not reassure him that he is fine, and you will not listen to him obsess and worry about health issues. Anything else, you will be a supportive wife, but you will not support health anxiety issues. I know this sounds cruel, but, you can be loving when you explain it to him. For most everyone with health anxiety, it does feel very real to them. The symptoms die down as soon as he stops googling, body symptom checking, going to appointments, and seeking reassurance. Sometimes people do exposures of certain symptoms if necessary like a racing heart or dizziness.
Wow thanks so much! My health anxiety has been going haywire for the last few months because of the virus. The breathing symptoms feel like the exact same in a panic attack and in the virus.
You are not alone. So many people have had their health anxiety triggered by the virus. We have to tolerate our anxiety and eventually our symptoms will decrease. Thank you for your comment.
Meditation is wonderful. There are so many great apps these days too. Just allow the anxiety, allow the sensations, having and attitude of allowing and welcoming seems to calm down our nervous system. 🙏❤️
the problem that is so hard for me is the fact that i suffer from shortness of breath constantly despite doctors telling me im healthy then i start to think the worst and its just a constant cycle i cant shake or do know how
Hi Marc. I am creating on an online therapy course for people like you. It will be available this summer. I take you through step by step what to do. Feeling breathlessness is common and part of the rewiring of the brain is done through Interoceptive Exposures. I will notify my subscribers when the course is available or you can send me your email through PaigePradko.com.
Have been having health anxiety since 2018.The thing is I'm not having it persistently.It's like it comes n goes.For a month or so I would be carefree and would be easy on myself.And else sometimes I would go on ruminating.It's like on both extremes.Health anxiety have been deep inside my mind while bursts out once in a while.I have missed many events at school and other family gatherings because of this.I really want to get out of this,it feels like a loop of negative thoughts.
I actually think that many people can relate to what you are describing. Health Anxiety can really pop up out of nowhere. We have to treat it like an annoying neighbor making lots of noise when we are trying to sleep. We tolerate the symptoms and anxiety without doing anything to reinforce it. Eventually, the anxiety will calm down. If we keep up checking our body symptoms and searching for reassurance or googling symptoms or going to the doctor, or avoiding activities and going places...we are actually making it worse. Wishing you the best in accepting your flare ups.
U r awesome ❤️! I don't know how to thank you for helping me, the temptation thing for me has been going on for the past 5 months started with a thought and ended with a thought. But ur videos really helped me
I am so glad. Strategic Exposure Therapy works, but it is challenging. You stay with the anxious thoughts of not knowing and uncertainty and fear. The anxiety will die down on it’s own. Your brain learns that this thoughts are nothing to be anxious and fearful of. The more often you lean into the anxiety...and actually try to feel more anxious about it, the better it works. You’ve got this!
One more thing, tell yourself that your new job is to live with uncertainty. Every time you are asking “what if” tell yourself that you can hold and live and accept not knowing and being uncertain. Tolerating that feeling is key.
I am happy to provide that Ray of hope. I am working daily on completing a Health Anxiety online class to help further help people. I am documenting everything I do and teach in therapy. I will notify my subscribers when it is completed and available if you might be interested.
I have Gastritis, IBD and chronic Hypochondria, trusting my GI is very hard righ now even he said there nothing to be worried about my condition, and I misinterpreted the symptoms to negative catastrophizing level. I'm starting my CBT which my therapist recommend me to do. But I'm still anxious about my health. Confusion of somatic or other disease symptoms.
It can be confusing when people have real, diagnosed disease and also have health anxiety. You will need to set appropriate boundaries of when to seek treatment of a specialist and when to hold and tolerate the anxiety. Asking your doctor to help you set those parameters will be helpful.
Yes it's very confusing, but I am taking prescription medications from G.I and stil I don't seem it gave me relax., Compulsive and fearful thoughts always hit me when symptoms comes, always focusing on my symptoms. Fear, worried and anxious for 24×7 .
I’ve had health anxiety for about 12 years now. 2 years ago I got diagnosed with breast cancer and what’s sad is that I found it myself. So can you imagine the uncertainties and fears now. Unfortunately it’s always a series of fears that keep on coming back. I’m very happy I found your channel can you please discuss health anxiety and when you do have something real how do you deal with it? Also what do you think of hypnotherapy to change the subconscious beliefs that danger is always around the corner and watching out for risks. There is neuro feedback I heard is good what do you think of it? Thank you for your great work!
Hi David. Here is a video where I share a health anxiety script. ua-cam.com/video/br8wbRJyiEo/v-deo.html. If you need more help, I have an online therapy class that I am making available to the public soon. You can contact me on PaigePradko.com if you are interested.
i think my anxiety started from chemical and hormonal imbalance,i took some tea for kidney stones ladt year for 3 4 months and i had a lot urinated,after that symptoms would just poping out,at first i had severe anxiety and panic attacks from nowhere,then i noticed digestive problems like indigestion and severe constipation that made me more nervouss and then i devolped those heart skipping beats its so scary symptom i have sometimes feeling i will pass out some of them make me breathless and that all bring my anxiety to the roof i had 5 ecgs tests chest x rey all came normal,i will check for blood hormone and endoscopy,i tried all suplements like magnesium citrate or glycinate it helps but not so much,only what helps when anxiety is on it peak is xanax it calms me down but i know it makes me dependence but when im on the edge it is better to take some medication then to cope with all that stress
What if you have health anxiety because you have a health condition that COULD be catastrophic? For example, imagine you have asthma and you develop an anxiety around not being able to breathe? Also the fact anxiety/stress usually exacerbates conditions such as these making them worse and more dangerous?! Not everyone who has health anxiety can be chalked up to simply worrying about unrealistic fears. So what is the answer for people who fear an outcome that is wholly possible?
Thank you so much. I've been struggling with health anxiety almost six years. It getting severe day by day and death anxiety along. I'll definitely try those technique..
Im really struggling with my health anxiety right now 😔. It's such a burden and definitely has an affect on my day to day life. It stay with me for days, along with my heart palpitations and feelings. Even when I fight against reassurance 😔
Hi Kacey. Do your best to not look for reassurance or check your heart rate or other symptoms. We have to tolerate our symptoms and do nothing to lower our anxiety. Very tough, but effective.
I have kinda suffering from a long time...after the lockdown due to lack of intensive exercise i started experiencing some issues with my bowel....one day i saw some black specks and thought that it was cancer....though my blood work is completely fine....and doc said it could also happen due to some other syndromes which are actually treatable as well like H. pylori or IBS....but still this anxiety thing is getting kinda outta hand
Yes, it sounds like you are experiencing health anxiety. From 10/31-11/3, I will be posting a 3 part series on Health Anxiety. I hope that you subscribe so that you can watch it.
I am confused. I thought you said that we should not focused on calming techniques like breathing, meditation, etc since they would send the message to our brain that we “are in trouble” and we should just act like nothing is happening. Can you please explain? Thank you for your valuable channel.
Yes, it is surprising how many safety behaviors and avoidances we have. Especially if we have health anxiety. If you ever need help treating health anxiety, you can find out more about my course here: www.paigepradko.com/healthanxiety.
Hi. This Sabrina again i left a message on each video. I have a bad behavior googling syptoms and checking parts of my body. I really do need help I've already had a EKG it was good so now im praying my blood works comes back good. Im just scared heart racing tired of thinkingp
Unfortunately, googling and researching and checking body symptoms are making your anxiety worse. I have an online class for health anxiety coming out soon. It may be helpful for you.
Something I have the most trouble with is convince myself that my symptoms are not life threatening. My brain automatically jumps to all cases I know where a person was misdiagnosed and ended up dying. I think what reinforces the idea that I could be part of statistic is having family history of sudden death. Rationally I understand I'm fine, because symptoms gradually disappear when I use distractions or when I hold some valerian tincture in my mouth. How do you go around it without reinforcing the idea that something is wrong and stop your brain to jump into worst case scenario?
Thank you so much for this two part series. I've been struggling with anxiety for several years now and it feels like a rollercoaster with many ups and downs. A few years ago, I was seeing a therapist because of my somatic symptom disorder. My therapist certainly was the wrong choice as it was a depth psychology approach, so it didn’t help me with my anxiety. Your video helped me understand for the first time how important it is to quit those compulsive behaviors. While I’m never googling any symptoms, I’m certainly looking for assurance from family and my doctors. But my biggest struggle are probably certain triggers that everyone naturally comes along in their lives. For example, if I’m watching a tv show and one of the characters is getting ill and is starting to show certain symptoms, I will remember those symptoms later as if they were burned into my mind. It’s come to a point where I know the moment I’m hearing about an illness with certain symptoms, one day later I experience all those symptoms. Of course, my anxiety skyrockets and my brain is trying to convince me I have that illness. I’ve been trying to avoid possible triggers for such a long time now, but of course it isn’t always possible. I’m not really sure how to cope with that, because there will always be people who are talking about their illnesses or symptoms or movies where some characters are experiencing an illness. Scanning every media for possible triggers is really exhausting and I also can’t tell everyone to never talk about illnesses. It always feels like a switch being flipped because of one trigger I couldn’t avoid even though I am trying so hard. Is this normal and what can I do about it? Thank you so much!
Hi Julia. What you are describing is so normal. Unfortunately, avoidance behaviors give your brain the message that being afraid of those triggers is of utmost importance. Therefore, when you are triggered, you will have an even greater anxiety response. When addressing this in therapy with a client, I recommend the client exposure themselves to their triggers with a goal of tolerating the anxiety. It is actually a form of exposure therapy. We have to teach our brains that we can tolerate the anxiety and do nothing to reassure ourselves when facing a trigger. It is difficult, but rewiring the brain through the exposure is most helpful. Thank you for your comments. 😊
Yes, unfortunately it is a problem. You are unintentionally responding to the health anxiety by doing something to calm yourself down. This creates a reinforcing health anxiety cycle and the meditation is taking the place of a compulsion, or a behavior that reduces the anxiety. It teaches that brain to be fearful of those health thoughts and sensations and will create an urge in you to do meditation or something else every time the thoughts come up. And this creates an OCD/health anxiety cycle that will continue to demand your attention. For more help for health anxiety here are some resources: Health anxiety assessment www.paigepradko.com/healthanxietyquiz OnLine Course: Rapid Recovery from Health Anxiety www.paigepradko.com/healthanxiety
Oh no, viewers of this video are seeking reassurance. Crap, I can’t win. Lol Strategic Exposure Therapy, mindfulness & Acceptance seem like the right way for me. Thank you Doctor. 🌷🇨🇦👍❤️
Thanks for watching. If you are interested in more treatment help for Health Anxiety, I have developed an online therapy course for Recovery from Health Anxiety. Go to PaigePradko.com for more information.
I love Strategy Exposure Therapy. And, catastrophizing with friends may be a way that you are trying to seek reassurance. Seeking reassurance feels good at the moment, but actually makes our long term anxiety worse...because we are treating all of our fears as if they are truths. You may want to experiment with tolerating your anxiety until the discomfort dies down. Just a thought. Wishing you the best.
You can see how your mind creates a dangerous scenario out of a normal occurrence. Your job in this scenario is to identify your thought as an anxious thought. And then, tolerate the anxiety the thought produces...and let time pass. Do not argue with the thought or google search about your thought. Just let it be, and continue your life.
When not reinforcing the behavior when having a health anxiety attack, do you preform coping methods, or do you just ignore then anxiety until it goes away?
Great question. There are several forms of ERP treatment. But, the most important thing is to NOT do any coping behaviors like googling symptoms, checking your body symptoms, reassurance seeking, or avoidance behaviors. Those types of coping make the anxiety worse. Instead, focus on accepting the uncertainty of health, which is what we all have to do. None of us come with guarantees. We all have to tolerate health uncertainty. For further treatment, you can do ERP scripts and exposures. I am creating an online treatment class for health anxiety that I will post when it becomes available.
This is such an important question. I talk to every client with health anxiety about this subject. Physicians do not often speak to their patients about health anxiety. Although, they recognize when a patient is repeatedly making appointments out of fear and the need for reassurance. My clients have typically worn down pathways to their doctors, cardiologists and emergency rooms for unnecessary appointments. We discuss informing and acknowledging to their physicians that they in fact suffer from health anxiety and that they want their physician to consider their health anxiety by not encouraging unnecessary testing or reassurance. Most physicians offer reassurance because they naturally want to calm their patients. They do not realize that they are actually reinforcing their patient’s anxiety cycle. Therefore, they discuss scheduling appointments according to their doctor’s recommendation and standard of care guidelines. For example, if a cardiologist tells a patient, “I would like to see you in one year”, the patient sticks to that schedule. To summarize, I recommend disclosing to your doctors that you suffer from health anxiety and asking for their help by avoiding unnecessary testing and reassurance that may reinforce the anxiety. And follow up appointments will be scheduled according to the recommendation of their physicians. Thank you for asking such a relevant and important question.
I just came across your video seeking help for a friend. I will certainly prefer this information to her. Then she came seek a therapist who can help her.
Thank You so much Paige, I really appreciate your videos on Health Anxiety. I watched both. Can you help me with some more information. I want to conquer it once and for all.
Hi Thomas. I am sorry that you are struggling with health anxiety. I recommend stopping all behaviors like checking body symptoms, googling symptoms, excessive testing, and seeking reassurance. You can create your own scripts to listen to and target your core fears if you need additional exposures. Here is my video on how to write scripts. Health anxiety acts like OCD and is treated the same way. ua-cam.com/video/HrjM091rcXc/v-deo.html
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Thank You, I appreciate your help. Can anxiety last for hours or days? I’m trying my best to deal with it. I want to just have a week straight with no anxiety. Can you suggest some ways I can feel no anxiety?
Oh man! This sounds all too familiar! I went to Ent because my throat hurt when yawning, or swollowing. I was sure it was a muscle, but still went. I have been suffering from this for about 4 years on and off. So this ENT said one of my tomsils was bigger than the other and said it can be an infection, or tonsil cancer!!! Well that started my worst episodes of health anxiety since last year, even though I went to 2 more ENTS 3 days straight. The other 2 said they looked fine. But this has ruined my life, every day checking my neck for lumps, and looking on google etc etc. its messed up.
That one experience with the first ENT really activated the fear center of your brain. You will have to identify and stop all of your compulsive behaviors like googling symptoms, feeling your throat, going to appointments, etc. You can even do short daily exposures on your worst imagined fearful thoughts if you anxiety does not decrease with eliminating those behaviors. Health anxiety is challenging, but treatable. I wish you well.
When i consentare in my chest or long exhale.... 1.stress 2.tention.breathing through chest. 3.fear of the death. Thinking about cancers or brain tumor?
My ecg was fine 3 months ago.Had heart palpitations and burning chest 2 weeks ago.Not been sleeping well 2 to 3 hours since palpitions.My recent ecg read consider heart block 2.Cant understand why good to bad inside months,could it be lack of sleep?
So very helpful thanks! I am looking to read a book on health anxiety and how to beat this debilitating condition. Do you have any recommendations please?
Great question. I have never read a book about health anxiety, so I cannot make a recommendation. But, I am sure they are out there. I learn from working with clients and reading current research from university library searches. I am glad you found the video helpful. 😊
I have a feeling of having colon cancer , as i have narrow stools for few days , i dont even know if its narrow , my fear is so high , my brains make me think its narrow , .My doubt is should i exposure myself , if so , for how .long , before seeking a doctor , which is considered reassurance . My brain says its emergency , to check a doctor , but it did like 10+ times i visited doctors previously in hospital
I am so sorry that you are experiencing health anxiety. If you have already seen a doctor for this problem in the last year, and your doctor said there is no problem, and you have a history of health anxiety, you do not need to see a doctor. That reassurance will only be temporary and will only make the health anxiety worse. If I were seeing a patient with your symptoms, I would suggest that they tolerate the anxiety without doctor appointments and stop all methods of researching, googling, and checking body symptoms. That means no inspecting their stool at all. This typically calms down their anxiety. Some clients need to go further into developing erp scripts and other exposures. Here is a playlist for help with health anxiety ua-cam.com/play/PL1lUhuKpYUYonn-zlZxzTRR8V4myEHgCY.html If you are subscribed to my UA-cam channel, you will soon hear about more help I am offering for people with health anxiety.
Here is the FREE Health anxiety quiz
www.paigepradko.com/healthanxietyquiz
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For more help for Health Anxiety: Join my OnLine Course: Rapid Recovery from Health Anxiety
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when you said " its very treatable. you dont need to live with this horrible fear " I literally bursted into tears with relief. thank you so much for this video. first piece of advice on health anxiety that I feel actually helped me. you're a life saver.
I am so happy to hear that, Taylor. I hope that you feel better. Should you ever need extra help or support, I do offer an online treatment course for health anxiety. There is more information on PaigePradko.com
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Thanks so much Paige!
The one OF girl I respect
Felt the same here😢
Thanks a lot for you words❤😂❤❤❤❤❤
Yes she is a life changer
This past month I experienced health anxiety for the first time, and it was horrible. I put my body and mind through so much stress, and I kept the cycle going by constantly googling and seeking reassurance. The googling of my “symptoms” only made things so much worse, and I reached a point where I just woke up with heart palpitations cause I was so anxious. I made the decision to completely ban googling and focused on mindfulness. The first day I felt great, continued with the second day, then something made me cave on the third day and 5 minutes of catastrophizing and googling ruined my entire day and nearly gave me a panic attack. Then I made a promise to myself that I would stop googling for a week, and set a specific time I could “worry” about a body sensation, so I wouldn’t think about it constantly. It’s been 2 weeks since then and I feel so much more at peace and reassured. I find that letting the anxiety wash over me, let it be present and really sticking to the no googling rule has made it easier. I have to be strict with myself and it took a lot of time, but compared to a few weeks ago where I couldn’t even be present when I was accompanied by others cause I was constantly worried, I’ve made a lot of progress. I think I’ve reached the acceptance point, like if something is wrong - then I’ll deal with it. Until then I’m gonna live my life. This series was really informative! Thank you so much!
Wow! I hope that all of my subscribers read your comment. You describe exactly how seeking reassurance actually reinforces the anxiety. I am sure it was difficult to stop the googling, but you experienced that just mindfully feeling anxiety and letting it decrease on it’s own....over the course of a week....the thoughts and anxiety calmed. Great job! Keep up the good work!! And thank you for such an awesome comment!
How reassuring was that pardon that word i did not realise what i have been doing to myself and have really suffer i am going to work on this as it has helped already
I've been dealing with horrid health anxiety lately. It has been plaguing me for almost a month. Googling helps in the short term, but then I start catastrophizing and end up on square one.
@@stefanbernhard2710 hey, I really stand by my comment from a year ago and now I don’t deal with health anxiety anymore. It didn’t take more than a couple of weeks using the method I described in my first comment, and I’ve never felt better. I really recommend stop googling cause it reinforces the anxiety.
Those are great things. I’m going to start not googling my symptoms. Can you recommend what else you do to help with it?
I’m literally in tears... after watching both of these videos I’ve realized that I’m not alone. That this happens to many people! Also that I’m naturally doing all of these techniques before I even knew what was happening to me. I have always been aware that my fears are not based in fact and that it’s an overreaction of the mind and body. I feel like mine is trauma based as I’ve not had this my entire life. My son passed from SIDS in 2007 and then my daughter was diagnosed with brain cancer... and then I was bombarded by lots of very stress filled life experiences after that. I do feel blessed that I am aware that these thoughts are untrue and that I don’t let them stop me from living my life. But I still carry them around with me and I’m just ready and almost angry at them. If I’m aware they aren’t true then why do I obsess still?! Lol I’m so thankful for you and these videos! God bless you!
Oh my gosh, Christina, you have experienced loss and trauma. I am so sorry for the loss of your son, and your daughter’s tumor and the other traumas you have been through. Health anxiety can certainly exacerbated by health traumas in ourselves or in others. I hope that these videos help you to identify how you are reinforcing your anxiety and what you changes you need to make. Wishing you the best ❤️
I’m so sorry. Sending love and hugs. God bless you
(THE ULTIMATE CURE OF HEALTH ANXIETY) Hello I have also suffered the same problem and it has elevated a lot since lockdowns and always thinking about it ,but this video on the channel shaan Kassam titled "my symptoms were changing day by day" will definitely help you a lot and please once check the pinned comment and you ultimately find the CURE
Link:-. ua-cam.com/video/WOAm_4doxB0/v-deo.html
A thing that I do to get my mind off the pain and anxiety is to hold an ice cube!
Does it work?
@@alexramos799 For me, yeah
Great idea! I will try this.
Thank you for this!! I was just on the verge of panicking and when I tried that my anxiety almost immediately calmed. Thank you so much, I will continue using this!!
@@laurenrankin1 Aww that's awesome! I'm glad it worked for you, you're welcome^^
I just found out that I suffer from health anxiety. I went to the doctor 8 days ago and had a complete check up. My blood was checked, my heart and chest scanned and everything came back fine. I was fine for a few days then started to think what if they missed something. If there is really nothing wrong with my heart why do I sometimes feel sensations? Thanks for this video. It puts everything into perspective for me. I will try the methods you recommend and work on getting a therapist.
I’m not sure if I developed Health Anxiety before or after my issues started. So I was diagnosed with Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia January 2022, have only left my house 5 times in the last year or so, because I didn’t have a choice. Seeing a psychiatrist and psychologist, tried a bunch of medications. I really haven’t improved. Now it’s exactly as you describe, going out or even planning on going out is a 100% panic attack. Usually though, there’s not really a “reason”, it just happens. I have a few every day, not always severe but every once in a while I’m holding my phone for a half hour trying to talk myself down from calling an ambulance again. More often at night, than during the day.
About a year ago, I noticed that little things that should be normal will shoot my anxiety into turbo mode. I don’t obsess over health conditions or look things up, in fact I avoid watching anything health related now. Which is ironic considering I worked as a veterinary technician for 5 years and was going to college to become a Physician’s Assistant. Obviously, I can’t do either of those things anymore. I can’t even go to the grocery store or walk my dog.
So on top of the Agoraphobia and the random out of nowhere panic attacks, I’m now having panic attacks triggered by tiny insignificant or even imagined body sensations. To the point that this week I had something in my eye or something, I went from reading something to an area of my vision blurry and being unable to read letters in a specific spot. I was convinced I was having a stroke. I’m 33 years old, thin, don’t smoke or drink or anything. Yet anytime I feel dizzy or think I feel dizzy, I’m convinced there’s something catastrophic going on with my heart or brain. I had to change the color of the light bulbs in some of the rooms in my house, because the “cool” tone looked funny and would trigger a panic attack.
It doesn’t help that one of my symptoms during severe panic attacks is derealization and tunnel vision.
My question is, how common is it to develop health anxiety because of panic disorder and agoraphobia?
First, I am truly sorry for everything that you are going through. These are very difficult conditions to cope with and to treat. In my experience, the symptoms of health anxiety, panic disorder and agoraphobia get combined into a big stew of anxiety symptoms. And, in your case, which is not unusual, you experience dpdr symptoms as part of panic disorder. They seem to be combined in almost all cases of people with agoraphobia with panic disorder. The focus on bodily symptoms of anxiety (anxiety sensitivity) likely cause health anxiety to increase as well. I typically begin treatment on health anxiety first, because certain behavior changes are necessary. Then, move to treating panic disorder and dpdr, and as the treatment is progressing, exposures are incorporated to begin working on agoraphobia. It is a lengthy treatment process for people with severe panic disorder. The recovery time all depends on what levels of anxiety can be tolerated. I do have therapy resources at paigepradko.com and a newsletter where I cover these topics weekly. You may also want to check out my playlists for health anxiety, panic and agoraphobia as well. I am posting an instructional video on dpdr recovery in 10 days that you won’t want to miss.
YOU ALWAYS HAVE A CHOICE...get a handle on reality, create your own mythology...... reduces anxiety not drugs EVER
How blessed and blissful you are , I have suffered from health anxiety since last 24 years I am 42 now .
What you have suggested seems to be the only solution , acceptance of this fear and taking it along and letting it be is one of the best ways I guess .
I pray that no one ever suffers from such a sick feeling like health Anxiety .
Lots of love peace and respect for the entire human race and all that God has created .
What a beautiful message. Thank you 🙏❤️
Try having GAD , DPDR, & health anxiety, OCD it’s hell
Thank you! I've been trying to eliminate the compulsive behaviours and the challenging part is having irrational thoughts of "but what if this time I truly have something serious?". Dealing with the unknown is what gets me. Your advice is so helpful!
Yes, this is exactly the thought that people with Health Anxiety have. I am so thankful that you left this comment. Stay with that anxious thought without doing anything to comfort yourself and no compulsive behaviors. The anxious, fearful feeling will go down on it’s own. Every time it comes up, feel the anxiety, and let the anxiety go down on it’s own. This is Exposure Therapy and your brain will eventually learn to habituate and not associate fear or anxiety with the fearful thought. You are allowing yourself to tolerate the feeling of uncertainty and doubt. This practice will relieve the anxiety. Thank you again for your comment.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy this advise is much appreciated
No more avoidance and distractions
Just facing it
Thanks a lot
No more compulsive behaviours
I've had chest pains since I was in high school. Doctors have examined me, done EKG's, and everything comes out normal. Just a few weeks ago, I experienced my first panic attack, believing I might be having a stroke. It has been difficult living with constant symptoms of nothing. Thank you for providing these tips for us. I will try them.
I understand and I am sorry that you are suffering with this. I will be making more videos to help with health anxiety. Many can turn this around once they stop checking body symptoms, stop googling and researching and stop seeking reassurance from doctors and others. Others need a bit of exposure treatment and we do this by listening to exposure scripts. Here is a video on how to prepare a script. Eventhough this video was for people with ocd, health anxiety is treated the same way. ua-cam.com/video/HrjM091rcXc/v-deo.html. I hope you feel better.
Thank you so much for this video. I’ve struggled with health anxiety for most of my 20s I’m nearly 30 now. Its been so confusing and so scary. I’ve developed this obsession with trying to stay super healthy and to be honest I don’t enjoy it most of the time. Obsessively drinking and eating healthy, forcing myself to work out. Avoiding certain foods. Sometimes I just want to eat and pizza without thinking I’m going to have high cholesterol or miss a workout without thinking I’ll be super unfit the next day or that my body will shut down because I’m not staying active.
Unfortunately, despite the healthy lifestyle I’ve actually made myself physically sick because of my health anxiety but I’m honestly still very grateful for this video. I really want to start enjoying health in a happy, natural and mindful way and not feel forced to be because of what goes on in my mind!
You are not alone. This is something that many people struggle with. But, you can make progress through exposures. What you are describing is not an eating disorder, it is more related to OCD. Some of my videos on OCD and doing ERP will help you. You can make great progress by challenging yourself daily by eating or drinking something that is outside of your normal controlled foods. Your anxiety will go up when you take a bite or a drink. But, if practiced regularly, your fear response will die down, and you will learn to allow yourself more variety. ERP ua-cam.com/video/JlVID74KTOM/v-deo.html, Strategic Exposure ua-cam.com/video/3sMpRuPi04A/v-deo.html, maximize exposure ua-cam.com/video/439l0c-P3lg/v-deo.html
@@PaigePradkoTherapy thank you so much! Please make more videos like this. They’re so helpful!
Iv had health anxiety for the last year or so. I thought i was having a heart attack 1 time, went to a and e and everything checked out fine. Now every few days i think im having a stroke. I hate these body sensations i have tension headaches and dizziness a lot. I just want to feel normal again so sick of this 😔
I am sorry that you are experiencing this hyper sensitivity to your body sensations. Try to notice when your brain is interpreting a sensation as “dangerous”. Say to yourself, “I am having a thought that.....”. This slows down your reaction because you are noticing a thought instead of immediately thinking the thought is true. Try to welcome the feelings and sensations and do not try to “not have them”. That just encourages the brain to think that they must be dangerous if he doesn’t want to have them. The higher your anxiety gets, the worse a sensation can feel, because our muscles tighten and our heartbeat and breathing changes with increased adrenaline and cortisol. Resisting anxiety makes anxiety worse. Accept it, observe in mindfully, label your thoughts, allow you anxiety to come and go without overreacting to the changes anxiety produces in the body. Those changes may be uncomfortable, but, they are not harmful. The more you allow the sensations and anxiety to come and go, the more the brain will not identify them as dangerous.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy thank you for the reply, great channel keep up the good work
I’m hearing you Alan. I’ve had health anxiety for about 35 years. I have a cycle of fears that might start with a headache that’s a bit more intense than usual so I think, ok brain tumour, then heart palpitations so it’s heart attack or stroke and then bowel problems which my brain immediately tells me is colon cancer. I get each thing checked as it happens and of course nothing. Blood tests are fine, scans are fine and I’m about to have a colonoscopy to confirm a probable diverticulosis diagnosis but I can’t get away from thinking cancer every damned time. The dr says I’m making myself sick and he’s right! I’m taking more years off my life than any disease could ever take. And like you I just want to feel normal but it’s harder than just trying to have positive thoughts because the negative ones are hardwired into my brain. Get on top of your anxiety now, don’t be like me and have it so long it’s like there’s no way back. Good luck x
@@tessleroy5313 thanks for the message and all the best stay positive
I have the worst health anxiety ever!!!!Everytime I feel tingling or numbness I automatically think it’s a stroke or a blocked blood vessel in the brain. I’m exhausted of thinking the worse case scenario. Then my panic attack start and I feel even worse. Been to the er plenty of times. I’m embarrassed to tell my husband to take me constantly he tells me over and over it’s stress or just to relax but it’s uncontrollable. I just had an echo of my heart and they said it’s perfect. Ok I felt great and then the neurologist called me to check up on my migraines and now wants to schedule a MRA and MRI and i’m freaking out!!! Like why is there something wrong and i’m having the worse panic attack. This is so exhausting
This video popped up as a suggestion and im sooo grateful. Ive had anxiety and ocd for years but this year after my daughter got very sick with the flu ive been in the worst health anxiety episode of my life. I got a sinus infection and took some sinus max which spiked my blood pressure and i went into full tremor panic attacks. From this point i went to the er for an ekg and they said im fine im having a panic attack. I tried to convince myself i was okay for a couple weeks but then developed some widespread twitches. Googled (NEVER GOOGLE!!) and of course diagnosed myself with ALS or MS. got to the point i was convinced my doctors (including a primary and neurologist who both ran plenty of tests) were missing something when they told me its just anxiety and stress. So ive been stuck in this cycle of keep my anxiety sky high, feel muscle twitches, obsess over those twitches and fear death, then repeat. It has been THE WORST cycle and im just finally 5-6 months later feeling like i will truly be okay and anxiety can present in a lot of different ways and health anxiety doesnt have to win and ruin our lives! Thank you for this video!!
I’m so sorry you went through that cycle. It sounds like classic health anxiety as the brain always seems to choose the worst case scenarios and convinces you they are legitimate concerns. If you need help or support for health anxiety, I have resources at paigepradko.com
Thank you Paige! I've been dealing with health anxiety for months on end and was constantly seeking reassurance. I had no idea that these compulsive behaviors were reinforcing my anxiety. Eliminating these from my life has made my life so much better and I can live with ease now.
I am so glad that you discovered the link between seeking reassurance and anxiety. Thank you so much for your comment. 😊
This is something I’ve never heard! Thank you. I am going to try this. Seeking reassurance is a constant for me, and never did I link the 2 together.
Hi Paige, thank you for both of your videos on health anxiety! I've had it for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I would check myself for appendicitis every night before going to bed.. even back then I was dead afraid of hospitals and illnesses. My anxiety dropped during my mid-twenties and mid-thirties, but with the pandemic, it came back and skyrocketed to the point of becoming unliveable. I do sometimes have body sensations that trigger my anxiety, typically I have found myself having trouble breathing these past two years, but I usually calm down by telling myself that it's just my anxiety acting up. The worst for me are the intrusive thoughts I'm having from the moment I wake up till the moment I go to bed and finally fall asleep. I've developped a crippling fear of death that I can't seem to be able to get out of my head. I'm terrified I might get sick in a year, five years or ten years. And when it's not fear of cancer, which I can sometimes manage by reassuring myself I'm already doing everything I can do by leading a healthy lifestyle, then it's fear of things that could happen to me without a warning like a brain aneurysm or a stroke. And this is exhausting.. it's like waiting for impending death. In fact, I think this sums it up: I've developped a fear of an impeding deadly stroke. And I don't know how to cope with that. I'm feeling depressed and hopeless on a daily basis and I need it to change. To add up to my anxiety, I'm actually 3 1/2 months pregnant, and believe it or not, lately every TV serie I watch or every podcast I listen to seem to contain at least one story about someone who lost their mother in their childhood.. So I guess, my question is, where do I start? What kind of therapy should I try?
Hi Sabrina. First, let me say congratulations on your pregnancy as nothing is more exciting than bringing a child into the world. And, I am so very sorry that you are suffering from health anxiety. If you are interested in help, please contact me on PaigePradko.com and leave me a message there. What you are experiencing is treatable and I want the very best for you so that you are absolutely feeling great and happy and ready to welcome your beautiful child into the world.
I honestly had to check your name to make sure I didnt write this myself. EVERYTHING you said is 100% me. I am also terrified of Drs. I just newly developed a fear of flying! Its so awful living this way. I hope your pregnancy went beautifully!
I just started having health anxiety this February and it has been the most exhausting, physically and emotionally few months. It all started with chest pain and it needed up being I do suffer from PVC’s but I can’t get myself to stop worrying that something else is wrong or they missed something. I definitely have obsessed over checking my heart rate and now suffering from what I think are tension headaches but can’t help from thinking I have a brain tumor. I have 2 boys and really needing to get this under control. Thank you so much for the video.
I am so sorry, Christy. I have treated so many clients with exactly what you are describing. I am in the process of creating an online therapy class so that more people can get help. I will let my subscribers know when it is available. When seeking help, therapists trained in ocd will be helpful, others may not have the training. I hope you feel better soon. 🙏❤️
@@PaigePradkoTherapy thank you for the response! I will keep an eye out for the video!
The advice in your videos is spot on, it's hard when you know what you must do but still have fear pop up constantly. My problem is my anxiety symptoms mostly eye related symptoms now have been constant for a year and a half so my fear keeps popping up because it hasn't gone away. I know I will get past this I have faith in my body, it is funny how different we all are yet the same in so many ways
Hi Chris. Yes, we have differences when it comes to the specifics of our concerns, but similarities when you look at the health anxiety cycle and reinforcing, compulsive behaviors like body checking and reassurance seeking and avoiding behaviors. I have share more health anxiety resources in my weekly newsletter at paigepradko.com if you are interested.
I was spiraling really bad when I found your videos. Thank you for this. I wouldn't even know how to start therapy, or if I could afford it, and I've been struggling with this for so long.
I am glad you found the videos on health anxiety, Daniel. I will be making more videos to help people with health anxiety, because I have noticed a big increase in symptoms during the pandemic.
Thank you for this series of videos! Most of the other things I've read on why reassurance seeking isn't good just say it "doesn't last" and don't explain why it reinforces anxious behaviors.
I am glad you liked it. I try to focus my videos on what I do in therapy and what has helped my clients. I am glad you found it helpful. Feel free to share it and thank you for your comment.
Watch here for more information on treating Health Anxiety ua-cam.com/play/PL1lUhuKpYUYonn-zlZxzTRR8V4myEHgCY.html
What is the differance between them?
Thank you so much Paige you have inspired me to look for a therapist. I see now just how much control health anxiety has over me.
❤️ Wishing you the best.
I have health anxiety been dealing with it for the past 3 months it’s been kicking my ass but this video gave me faith that i can beat it and reading the comments seeing other ppl going through the same thing as me takes so much off my shoulders 🙏🏾
I am sorry you are going through that Ricky. I agree. It does help to see that we are not alone in our fears and struggles and just being aware of our common humanity helps. 🙏❤️
I'm 61 and was diagnosed with health anxiety during lockdown; course I didn't believe it - I knew I had a sever undiagnosed heart problem ... since I was 21!
I've suffered on and mostly off my whole life until Covid where is has become quite debilitating. I never understood the OCD enabling until I watch this ... OMG thank you SO much, I do ALL of those reassuring techniques. I also practice mindfulness which does help however alone its not enough during a full anxiety moment. Thank you so much X
I am truly sorry that you have suffered so much. I left you a message about my course called, Rapid Recovery from Health Anxiety. Please contact me at paigepradko.com if I can be of any help.
Due to the current situation going on in the world, it makes my heath anxiety sky rocket.... I’m just not sure what to do anymore.....
Yes, the pandemic has really exasperated health anxiety across the globe. We have to tolerate the anxiety and follow guidelines of safety. No more, no less. Do not excessively search for symptoms and updates on the virus. Your job is to accept and tolerate the anxiety without seeking reassurance. I wish you the best.
I understand that you feel. I had living with anxiety for many years
Affect several aspects of my life ñike my relations with job, family and girfriend. Now i can say that i recover a litle armony
Leonardo Lema Glad your anxiety is better! Yes it affects everything
I feel the same way, it's ruining my life, my career, everything.
Thank you for this video. I have suffered for years with health anxiety. You’re the first person I’ve heard that said seeking reassurance actually reinforces and continues the cycle of anxiety!!
Hi Aaron. I am so sorry that you have suffered for years. Here are some links that you may be interested in:
Health anxiety quiz
www.paigepradko.com/healthanxietyquiz
OnLine Course: Rapid Recovery from Health Anxiety
www.paigepradko.com/healthanxiety
I am so thankful for someone like you, Paige. I am 55 years old and going through post menopause, a totally different topic. However, it feels since I am getting older, hormones and Hugh blood pressure I feel every little pain is related to my heart it has been horrible for me to put a smile on my face. I have2 teenage kids and all I focus on is trying to be strong in front of them. But, once alone I am either in an anxious mode and thinking my heart is not healthy because I have high blood pressure and chest pains. even my check bone gets tight at times. My GP says is anxiety and all my symptoms are normal and to take a Xanax. But, that is not the answer. I really just want to smile again and know I can somehow rationalize with my anxiety. Aging is not easy but it part of life and I just want to be ok. Thank you for letting us know that we are not alone. I have subscribed to your website. Looking forward in starting your courses.
Welcome to my channel, Patricia. You are indeed not alone. Yes, we are going to age but we can enjoy our lives and focus on what we care about instead of fearing health issues. You may benefit greatly from my course www.paigepradko.com/healthanxiety
Thankyou so much for the video. It was really well explained and gave me so much hope. Health Anxiety has been overwhelming me lately and as you explained it I can see how my compulsive behaviours have been making it worse. Very grateful to have found your channel, I really appreciate it.
Thank you Brendan. If you need help recovering from health anxiety, please visit www.paigepradko.com/healthanxiety.
You are so calming and reassuring with your approach. Very helpful. Thank you so much for your videos.
You’re welcome, Barbara 🙏☺️
I want to cry because every sensation I’m on the panic mode and I think the worst and I don’t know what triggered this on me but I had this all true years but I now finally realised I do this behaviour and is horrible feeling thinking I’m gonna die. I want to also thank you for educating us 🥲🙏❤️
Thank you for sharing your story. Recovery is possible.🙏❤️
@@PaigePradkoTherapy thank you 🙏 ❤️
Although I catch myself obsessing about my health during the day it is unbearable at night. I will have multiple panic attacks in a single night. I get stuck in an endless loop of hoping I dont start obsessing, which triggers the obsession, having a panic attack, coming down and realizing it's just my anxiety. Then it all starts again. It's really exhausting and even worse because I dont tell anyone out of fear I will cause THEM anxiety about my health.
Hi Julia. It does sound like you have health anxiety that can be very obsessive like OCD. If you would like more help in treating it, I have an online therapy course for people suffering from health anxiety coming out at the end of the month. I take you through step by step through treatment. If you are interested in learning more, please email me at info@paigepradko.com
First of all thank you for leaving the link under my paranoid post on reddit :) It all does sound exactly like what I experience. And also this made me realise something. Sometimes when I'm falling asleep I feel like I um..forget to breathe...and I inhale quickly and panic. But these two videos made me realise that what I'm feeling is my breath slowing down because I'm falling asleep and my brain thinks it's wrong. Funny how realising it is kinda reassurance in a way but a healthy one if it makes sense? Thank you again, I will try all the recommendations from your video :)
You’re welcome. Thank you for your kind words. Learning how to cope with our worries and fears is a process that has it’s ups and downs. Stay with consistent strategies and overtime, your fears will diminish. 😊
This is so, so helpful. Thank you for making this video. I have been struggling with health anxiety for the past year and have been trying to find strategies to overcome on my own. But your guidance here is so valuable and insightful. I would like to try some of these strategies!
Thank you. I am glad you found the video helpful. Wishing you the best.
💗Thank you a thousand times over. I am learning much more about treating my health anxiety than I did with 2 years seeing an inexperienced therapist.
I know this video is a few years old but I have health anxiety and my most recent episode has been the hardest for me to get through. I have a sudden fear of developing a severe mental illness and losing control of my thoughts and actions. My psychologist has assured me over and over again that it’s my health anxiety but when I feel any negative emotions I jump to the worst case scenario. I cant read or hear about stories of suicide or harm without going into panic and thinking about it for days. It was a story like that triggered my panic and I’ve been trying to overcome it for about 2 months now. I have many good days but a lot of things are triggers like feeling sad, anxious, etc. Everyday emotions can become triggers. It’s definitely the scariest fear I have. I just have to keep reminding myself it’s health anxiety
I am sorry you are going through that. What you are describing is health anxiety OCD and what we call harm OCD. These are very treatable conditions. I cover both of those themes and how to do ERP for them in my OCD course. Here is a link: www.paigepradko.com/ocd
@@PaigePradkoTherapy this is what my psychologist is telling me. It’s truly the most awful feeling and scary. I do so well when I meditate and keep busy but I feel like I take 10 steps back when I hear of something triggering and think all this meditating and keeping busy can’t really be helping me. I need to get out of my own head
I had found a lump on my body and immediately went to Dr. Google. Of course, I convinced myself I had cancer and I was a goner. I went to the doctor and he said he was 99.9% sure that it wasn’t cancer. I still left the office doubting him and thinking he must’ve missed something. I hate this anxiety. At times I will calm myself down but it always flares back up. I wish everyone luck on here for defeating this disorder. I’m trying my best to battle my own.
So many can relate to you. We have to live with and tolerate our uncertainty. ❤️
how do you feel now? and where did you find the lump?
I think I always had some level of HA ever since I nearly died of laringitis when I was young, but ever since I had my first panic attack not one day seems to go by without me asking myself If Im breathing fine, if im shaking, if im dying. thankfully I think Im learning how to live with my anxiety before it got too strong
thank you for this. i recently started struggling with this, it scared the living hell out of me. i get odd sensations in my chest and i instantly freak out and assume i’m having a heart attack. i know these thoughts are irrational, i’m 23, relatively active, and don’t have too poor of a diet. i know i’m not at risk, but i can’t stop thinking it for some reason. your video helped a lot, because i don’t want to see the doctor as i’m embarrassed to go in for something that i’m making up. i will try meditation, no reassurance, and acceptance. i really appreciate this video and the fact that i am not the only one that experience this. i felt so alone and crazy because of it
Never be embarrassed to visit a doctor if you feel unsure about your health. That’s what they’re there for. And never be afraid to get a second or even a third opinion.
Thank you so much for this video, it really does give me hope that I’ll be able to overcome my health anxiety with the right strategies in place. Being stuck at home due to the current quarantine situation has unfortunately made it easy for my mind to wander and amplify my anxiety greatly. Already had two telehealth visits because thought I was having lung issues (which were sensations that eventually went away by themselves), and with overall anxiety and bad quality sleep I’ve been having new sensations that I’m swaying and on a boat that won’t seem to go away unless I’m distracted. Doctor had prescribed Xanax but trying my best not to use it often. Feel like I’m at wits end, but watching your videos on health anxiety has given me a better understanding of the constant loop, and I am definitely going to try some of your mentioned strategies and also to force myself to stop Googling.
I am sorry that you are experiencing this increased anxiety. This is most definitely a difficult time for those with Health Anxiety. These strategies will help you, but I want to acknowledge that this pandemic is like one long, challenging exposure for people with Health Anxiety. Hoping you feel better.
Paige Pradko LPC NCC Thank you for the kind words! Hoping you and your family stay safe during this time of uncertainty.
Thanks a lot for this video. I have had a very rough month because of just a fever which I misinterpreted (catastrophised) as Rabies, COVID, and whatnot. I will follow through your techniques to ensure a better life without fear.
I am sorry that you are experiencing this. Follow the techniques and tolerate the anxiety and uncertainty without searching for reassurance.
I've had the EXACT same issue the past week. I've felt a bit weak and had anxiety all week and I've convinced myself it's covid or rabies, which is really hard to calm down from.
Paige ❤️..
I'm living with health anxty since 20 years .. after a long time I feel so so calm after watching this video .. you are gem 💎
I am so happy that the videos are helpful. 🙏❤️
my husband use to work in big company one time i had this worry about localized pain that comes and goes,went to the hospital Dr ordered right away an MRI,bamm got the amswer problem solved,sadly now its not the case,coz dr would be yeah just take this and go home,eventhough your health concern has been happening for many months..thats why people worry they don't have the answer.
Yes. People do need to rule out real concerns with appropriate testing. But, once it is checked out, we need to tolerate our anxiety.
Paige your videos are very helpful. I have had bouts of health anxiety for over a year and googling makes it ten times worse. I have stopped googling and all social media accounts. I feel the benefits for this. My parents had health issues when i was growing up and i think every sensation i get i link to their issues and think its hereditry.
Thank you for your comments Annmarie. I am glad you found the video helpful. 😊❤️
Thank you for this video! I’ve only recently realized that I am suffering from health anxiety and just understanding more about this issue has helped me take control of it a little better. Your video included Helpful suggestions for possible therapeutic approaches that I think I will try.
Great video and wonderful lady. I’ve been to the GP hundreds of times in over 6 years, ER and cardiologist. Nothing bad was ever found. I’m still living with the fear every day that there’s something wrong with my heart. I can feel the beats, missed beats and general flip flops every day. Funny when I’m flat out busy I never feel anything. Usually after eating it’s the worse. I check my pulse and I can feel the pauses! How can I not worry in all fairness?!!!!!😬
I realize that this is not easy. I cannot tell you how many people that I have seen with exactly the same symptoms. Once they no longer are afraid of their sensations and no longer check their heart and pulse, and no longer google symptoms or visit doctors or have tests, their fear center of their brains calm down and their symptoms die down as well.
Thank you for your reply!
X
I can totally relate bro
How are you now? This is me just now
@@U2022-k9m I’m doing very well. I’d a massive nocturnal meltdown mid March but since then I’m doing better than ever! Just convincing myself that I’m okay and life has risks, people do die but I’ll take my chances. Throwing yourself into work and hobbies, fitness, reading is great. Avoid unhealthy minded people that drain you. Don’t be afraid to say no to people especially family. If you get the all clear just trust the medics and take life by the horns. Anxiety is a habit, it’s just a result of how you perceive things. You do have to experience it. But one say you’ll just realise it’s a bully. Ignore the bully and he goes away. God bless.
New therapist in training here! Your videos are so helpful and thorough - thank you so much for sharing
Thank you, I feel honored that you are watching 🙏❤️
i am trying to follow # 3 and # 5 gradually. it works and brings tolerance. Thank u
That’s wonderful. Keep up the good work.
I’ve been getting terrible tension headaches where I keep reinforcing compulsive behaviors and I definitely see why my head keeps feeling tight. I’m going to take your advice and stop those behaviors and hopefully I can relax better!
I am so sorry about your headaches. It does take some time for our brains to calm down and learn that nothing is wrong. If you need more help on Exposure Therapy, I have a few videos coming up in a few weeks that get into more detail about how to do exposure therapy. But, by stopping the compulsive behaviors and letting your anxiety come down on it’s own will help. Thank you for your comment.
Thank you for this video- I have suffered with health anxiety for a lot of my life, going back to even being a child. I had a couple of years of being “normal” and not suffering from health anxiety so much, however always being health conscious but not to an extreme level. At the beginning of this year I had a major stressful life event happen to me, and since then I feel this stress has opened the flood gates to my health anxiety coming back. Already this year I’ve been for an MRI thinking I had throat cancer, now I’m awaiting a scan for the breast clinic, you can guess which illness I think I have now! I live in England, UK so it’s a lot easier to be sent for “scans” and “further tests” because of the NHS which fuels my anxiety so much because I think “oh my god the doctor thinks there’s definitely something wrong with me to send me for a scan” and that’s the situation I’m in right now. I drive everyone insane with it, my friends, family, my fiancé everyone gets annoyed at me because of my health anxieties. I truly wouldn’t wish it on anyone, it’s totally life ruining an controls everything you do and think. I managed to get over it a few years ago by stopping the googling and started to ignore bodily sensations and it worked! But here I am back in the health anxiety hole.
I am so sorry, Kayl. It can flare up at different times in our lives. After your scan, begin to cope with your anxiety again by not seeking reassurance or googling symptoms. Health anxiety will quiet down when we stop our behaviors of tests and scans and appointments. Wishing you the best.
Paige Pradko LPC NCC thank you- I feel like I’m loosing my mind however, constantly stuck in the grey area of ‘is this my health anxiety or am I really dying and my symptoms are real’ I can never quite work out which one is which. Such a crippling mental health illness.
It might help if you can focus on tolerating the feeling of not knowing. Feel what that feeling is to not know if you have this illness or that one. Feel what it is like to not know what that body sensation means. We have to learn to hold and tolerate those feelings because as humans, we never have certainty of anything. You are living with uncertainty in so many other areas. Learning to tolerate uncertainty in the area of you health will improve with intention and practice. It will give you your life back.
My health anxiety is through the roof recently. I’ve had it, I think since I was a child but with lockdown etc it’s becoming almost unbearable. I even bought an blood oxygen and glucose testing kit because I’ve been trying Keto. I’m literally sick of being this way. The few times I feel ok I start feeling anxious about my kids or my husband or even the family pets.
I am so sorry, Tess. This pandemic and all of this media coverage about illness has really exacerbated people’s health anxiety. Try your best to identify and accept the waves of anxiety without researching symptoms or taking health checks. Allow the anxiety to come and go without reacting to it.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy thank you Paige. I felt really much better after listening to you 😊
It’s funny how you talk about seeking reassurance from the Internet, checking blood pressure and checking pulse as a compulsive behavior People with health anxiety use. As you had said those things and I’m listening thinking to myself yup that’s me spot on!
You are not alone, Andrew. It is difficult to give up that symptom checking, but, it is necessary to get better. My clients even have to stop using their Apple watches and other devices. It fuels their health anxiety. I am leaving a playlist of a few more videos. In the Q & A video, I share a client’s script for health Anxiety that he listened to daily and it helped him stop those behaviors.
ua-cam.com/play/PL1lUhuKpYUYonn-zlZxzTRR8V4myEHgCY.html
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Thank you for the reply! I appreciate the link as well 😁 also ive stopped wearing my apple watch for just that reason,sometimes something as simple as a false feart rate during anxiety will spike wandering thoughts
Yes...so true. We have to explain this to Apple.😊
Thank you it really helpd me, i always have health issues n feel sick n serious evrytime n i always think I will die n no one could guide or teach me like u did in dis video so thank u so mch and please if u can make more videos on health anxiety.
Hi Vikato. Here is a playlist for health anxiety ua-cam.com/play/PL1lUhuKpYUYonn-zlZxzTRR8V4myEHgCY.html.
And here is a free health anxiety assessment www.paigepradko.com/healthanxietyquiz.
Paige, this was so helpful. I'm going to be a regular viewer of your channel!
Hi Sundus. Thank you. I am not sure if you saw my latest videos on Health anxiety.
Here is a playlist ua-cam.com/play/PL1lUhuKpYUYonn-zlZxzTRR8V4myEHgCY.html
Thank you so much! Helpful and encouraging information. I appreciate it!
You’re welcome 🙏❤️
Thanks for the video..I am facing health anxiety now..I have slightly elevated bp and I keep imagining things like what if I get a stroke or heart attack in future because of it..when I read many men die at heart attack in their 40's, it makes me fearful what if it happens to my husband suddenly..even if I get back pain, I worry if I may have kidney problem as I am not drinking water enough..because of this, my life is not happy and constantly overthinking..I am worried that these thoughts itself will make me sicker 😒
Hi Harini. I am so sorry that you are experiencing health anxiety. I have been working for several months on an online therapy course for people with this condition. It will be available very soon, hopefully at the end of the month. If you are interested in learning more, please email me at info@paigepradko.com
My clinical psychologist diagnosed me as GAD and health anxiety is my worst, everyday having symptoms, scaning body sensation, focusing on my breathing pattern whether I'm breathing or not, multiple doctor visit, but still every day is my battles, sometimes I wanna hurt myself. I'm newly married 35 dude and my relationship is getting sucks because of my mental issues. I'm done.
I hope you are making progress, Pedro. You will have to stop all of those checking body sensations and googling and doctor appointments if you want your anxiety to calm down. I wish you the best. Health anxiety is horrible.
Thank you. 3 years dealing with this after having a heart diagnosis of wpw, had a successful ablation but now have PAC and PVCs. every sensation instantly takes me back to my event even though i have an implanted heart monitor that reads every beat and drs say my PVC/PACs are equal to what theyd expect to see if they pulled a random person off the street, it's difficult to put those experiences in the past and trust that everything's okay. Trying though.
I often work with people with a history of cardiac problems, surgeries and traumas related to past heart attacks or heart conditions. Even though their cardiologists have given them a clean bill of health, the fear and panic remain and even feels automatic. I have recently worked with a client who went through almost word for word what you are describing. You have become so tuned into every sensation of your heart and unfortunately, your brain interprets the sensations as dangerous...therefore causing fear and anxiety. With my clients, I use a combination of skills that I teach for panic disorder. I recommend going to my playlist page and watching the 2 videos I made on Panic attacks. The skill most often helpful with what you are describing is what I call, "welcoming the panic". I even have clients create the heart sensations on purpose as a form a exposure therapy called Interaceptive Exposure Therapy. I also have a video on how to do this type of exposure. You can find this under Exposure Therapy on the Playlist page as well. I wish you the best in learning to accept and not react to your body sensations.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy thanks so much, you're an awesome person :)
You are more than welcome 😊
I have the same anxiety but it’s from a trauma that happened to another person I was close to and now I’m terrified it’s happening to me. It’s terrible but we can get through this!
Thank you for this information. I really appreciate it.
You are so welcome!
Thank you so much for all your time and effort into helping us all. I had a panick attack 15 yrs ago and was sure it was my heart. Had every test done all good but developed all the bad habits you describe , BP check's, pulse checks and hypervigilance towards my heart. I still workout and enjoy life but it still rears its ugly head. Not sure what I'm missing to get rid of it. Thanks for your time and if you do phone consults let me know.Rick
Our body’s nervous system has the ability to create the sensations of a heart attack. I understand the body sensations and the panic symptoms that ensue. It takes time and deliberate effort to refuse to act upon the panic and body sensations. Your brain still believes you are in danger and is trying it’s best to throw everything at you to convince you to get help. You have to decide ahead of time that you are not going to fall for this trick of the mind and body any longer. It is indeed Hell....but it gets better as you set your resolve to not give in to the fear and anxiety. I can tell that you are committed to getting better, or you would not be watching this video. I may do some consulting work in the future. Right now, I have a busy practice in Michigan, but have seen some people that have found me on UA-cam (which always surprises me). I will let you know if/when I decide to do consultations. 😊
Thank you so much for your reply. I go to Detroit every week ! Lol. Please do let me know if you do I have insurance or cash. Thank you again for your a time your a very caring person. Rick
Thanks Rick. I can always see you in my office if you are in Rochester, Mi. Just go to PaigePradko.com and contact me.😊
I’ve had health anxiety since I was a kid along with other anxiety. I was born into domestic violence which explains it. My issue now is that I have serious health issues from years of being stuck in fight or flight. I have Advanced Osteoporosis at age 57 and have recently had fractures to my thoracic and lumbar spine. I’m high risk for fracture and am in constant alert mode because every move I make matters including coughing and sneezing. This is real and it’s very scary.
I am so sorry, Karen. That sounds terrible and painful. People often have health anxiety with and without medical symptoms and medical diagnosis. I can help you with your obsessive worries and anxiety in my course called Rapid Recovery from Health Anxiety. Should you have an interest in learning more, please visit PaigePradko.com
@@PaigePradkoTherapy thank you 😊
Amazing information...thank you so much for all your great help!!!
Please help me with my husband’s health anxiety as I am going crazy....
He doesn’t believe, he has an issue. It is all real to him.
Every day there is a health issue with him. He is diagnosed with depression - hypochondriac. (Medication for + 20 years)
He has health issues (diabetes, high blood pressure, Crohn’s, cholesterol)
He was also diagnosed with throat cancer 5 years ago. It went away after radiation therapy.
Last year 2019 his cancer came back and had laryngectomy (removed of larynx).
He is fine now but constantly worries.
I try to help him but I feel depressed and down. - a lot of sleepless nights and worries
I am in general an optimistic enthusiastic person but I find this situation extremely miserable and very toxic for my sanity.. and the relationship.
What to do?
I can understand how difficult this must be for both of you. Health anxiety acts like OCD and people can become obsessed, especially if it began with a health related trauma, which it did in your husband’s case. Reassuring him will only make it worse, and reinforce the cycle. Calmly explain to your husband that although you love him, you will not do anything to reinforce the obsessive cycle of health anxiety. You will not take him or join him going to doctor appointments, you will not reassure him that he is fine, and you will not listen to him obsess and worry about health issues. Anything else, you will be a supportive wife, but you will not support health anxiety issues. I know this sounds cruel, but, you can be loving when you explain it to him. For most everyone with health anxiety, it does feel very real to them. The symptoms die down as soon as he stops googling, body symptom checking, going to appointments, and seeking reassurance. Sometimes people do exposures of certain symptoms if necessary like a racing heart or dizziness.
Thank you ...for the prompt response!!!
Easy steps...but very challenging.
Wow thanks so much! My health anxiety has been going haywire for the last few months because of the virus. The breathing symptoms feel like the exact same in a panic attack and in the virus.
You are not alone. So many people have had their health anxiety triggered by the virus. We have to tolerate our anxiety and eventually our symptoms will decrease. Thank you for your comment.
Paige Pradko LPC NCC 😊
Facing same thing
Dealing with a bout now. Meditation. Trying to get to the root cause of the anxiety is helping as well
Meditation is wonderful. There are so many great apps these days too. Just allow the anxiety, allow the sensations, having and attitude of allowing and welcoming seems to calm down our nervous system. 🙏❤️
the problem that is so hard for me is the fact that i suffer from shortness of breath constantly despite doctors telling me im healthy then i start to think the worst and its just a constant cycle i cant shake or do know how
Hi Marc. I am creating on an online therapy course for people like you. It will be available this summer. I take you through step by step what to do. Feeling breathlessness is common and part of the rewiring of the brain is done through Interoceptive Exposures. I will notify my subscribers when the course is available or you can send me your email through PaigePradko.com.
Have been having health anxiety since 2018.The thing is I'm not having it persistently.It's like it comes n goes.For a month or so I would be carefree and would be easy on myself.And else sometimes I would go on ruminating.It's like on both extremes.Health anxiety have been deep inside my mind while bursts out once in a while.I have missed many events at school and other family gatherings because of this.I really want to get out of this,it feels like a loop of negative thoughts.
I actually think that many people can relate to what you are describing. Health Anxiety can really pop up out of nowhere. We have to treat it like an annoying neighbor making lots of noise when we are trying to sleep. We tolerate the symptoms and anxiety without doing anything to reinforce it. Eventually, the anxiety will calm down. If we keep up checking our body symptoms and searching for reassurance or googling symptoms or going to the doctor, or avoiding activities and going places...we are actually making it worse. Wishing you the best in accepting your flare ups.
U r awesome ❤️! I don't know how to thank you for helping me, the temptation thing for me has been going on for the past 5 months started with a thought and ended with a thought. But ur videos really helped me
I am so happy to hear that, Srinhath. Thank you for your comment. 🙏😊
Very informative. Thanks for the strategic exposure therapy explanation.
You’re welcome 😊
I’m very glad you pointed me to your channel last week. Great video! I’m going to give Strategic Exposure Therapy a shot.
I am so glad. Strategic Exposure Therapy works, but it is challenging. You stay with the anxious thoughts of not knowing and uncertainty and fear. The anxiety will die down on it’s own. Your brain learns that this thoughts are nothing to be anxious and fearful of. The more often you lean into the anxiety...and actually try to feel more anxious about it, the better it works. You’ve got this!
One more thing, tell yourself that your new job is to live with uncertainty. Every time you are asking “what if” tell yourself that you can hold and live and accept not knowing and being uncertain. Tolerating that feeling is key.
Hi Paige,
Battling with the health anxiety for quite sometime now.. just saw your channel today.
Seems like a ray of hope..❤️❤️
I am happy to provide that Ray of hope. I am working daily on completing a Health Anxiety online class to help further help people. I am documenting everything I do and teach in therapy. I will notify my subscribers when it is completed and available if you might be interested.
I have Gastritis, IBD and chronic Hypochondria, trusting my GI is very hard righ now even he said there nothing to be worried about my condition, and I misinterpreted the symptoms to negative catastrophizing level. I'm starting my CBT which my therapist recommend me to do. But I'm still anxious about my health. Confusion of somatic or other disease symptoms.
It can be confusing when people have real, diagnosed disease and also have health anxiety. You will need to set appropriate boundaries of when to seek treatment of a specialist and when to hold and tolerate the anxiety. Asking your doctor to help you set those parameters will be helpful.
Yes it's very confusing, but I am taking prescription medications from G.I and stil I don't seem it gave me relax., Compulsive and fearful thoughts always hit me when symptoms comes, always focusing on my symptoms. Fear, worried and anxious for 24×7 .
I’ve had health anxiety for about 12 years now. 2 years ago I got diagnosed with breast cancer and what’s sad is that I found it myself. So can you imagine the uncertainties and fears now. Unfortunately it’s always a series of fears that keep on coming back. I’m very happy I found your channel can you please discuss health anxiety and when you do have something real how do you deal with it? Also what do you think of hypnotherapy to change the subconscious beliefs that danger is always around the corner and watching out for risks. There is neuro feedback I heard is good what do you think of it? Thank you for your great work!
Hey how you doin
Thank you for opening my eyes
Hi David. Here is a video where I share a health anxiety script. ua-cam.com/video/br8wbRJyiEo/v-deo.html. If you need more help, I have an online therapy class that I am making available to the public soon. You can contact me on PaigePradko.com if you are interested.
i think my anxiety started from chemical and hormonal imbalance,i took some tea for kidney stones ladt year for 3 4 months and i had a lot urinated,after that symptoms would just poping out,at first i had severe anxiety and panic attacks from nowhere,then i noticed digestive problems like indigestion and severe constipation that made me more nervouss and then i devolped those heart skipping beats its so scary symptom i have sometimes feeling i will pass out some of them make me breathless and that all bring my anxiety to the roof i had 5 ecgs tests chest x rey all came normal,i will check for blood hormone and endoscopy,i tried all suplements like magnesium citrate or glycinate it helps but not so much,only what helps when anxiety is on it peak is xanax it calms me down but i know it makes me dependence but when im on the edge it is better to take some medication then to cope with all that stress
I am so sorry that you are going through all of that. 🙏❤️
I love the nature, birds intro, and your approach Paige.
Thank you. I love that sound too. 😊
Thank you so Much!
You’re welcome. 😊
What if you have health anxiety because you have a health condition that COULD be catastrophic? For example, imagine you have asthma and you develop an anxiety around not being able to breathe? Also the fact anxiety/stress usually exacerbates conditions such as these making them worse and more dangerous?! Not everyone who has health anxiety can be chalked up to simply worrying about unrealistic fears. So what is the answer for people who fear an outcome that is wholly possible?
Thank you so much. I've been struggling with health anxiety almost six years. It getting severe day by day and death anxiety along. I'll definitely try those technique..
Hope you feel better
I'm not in a good place at the moment. Scared & dreading going to my doctors on Friday.
Im really struggling with my health anxiety right now 😔. It's such a burden and definitely has an affect on my day to day life. It stay with me for days, along with my heart palpitations and feelings. Even when I fight against reassurance 😔
Hi Kacey. Do your best to not look for reassurance or check your heart rate or other symptoms. We have to tolerate our symptoms and do nothing to lower our anxiety. Very tough, but effective.
What medication should I take,❤
I have kinda suffering from a long time...after the lockdown due to lack of intensive exercise i started experiencing some issues with my bowel....one day i saw some black specks and thought that it was cancer....though my blood work is completely fine....and doc said it could also happen due to some other syndromes which are actually treatable as well like H. pylori or IBS....but still this anxiety thing is getting kinda outta hand
Yes, it sounds like you are experiencing health anxiety. From 10/31-11/3, I will be posting a 3 part series on Health Anxiety. I hope that you subscribe so that you can watch it.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy yes sure mam...and thanks for replying...it was assuring ❤️❤️
I am confused. I thought you said that we should not focused on calming techniques like breathing, meditation, etc since they would send the message to our brain that we “are in trouble” and we should just act like nothing is happening. Can you please explain? Thank you for your valuable channel.
Very helpful video. Thanks for posting this.
Thank you 😊
I have to laugh at myself for the panic I feel at the thought of eliminating safety behaviors. "Then how will I be safe?" lol
Yes, it is surprising how many safety behaviors and avoidances we have. Especially if we have health anxiety. If you ever need help treating health anxiety, you can find out more about my course here: www.paigepradko.com/healthanxiety.
Hi. This Sabrina again i left a message on each video. I have a bad behavior googling syptoms and checking parts of my body. I really do need help I've already had a EKG it was good so now im praying my blood works comes back good. Im just scared heart racing tired of thinkingp
Unfortunately, googling and researching and checking body symptoms are making your anxiety worse. I have an online class for health anxiety coming out soon. It may be helpful for you.
Something I have the most trouble with is convince myself that my symptoms are not life threatening. My brain automatically jumps to all cases I know where a person was misdiagnosed and ended up dying. I think what reinforces the idea that I could be part of statistic is having family history of sudden death. Rationally I understand I'm fine, because symptoms gradually disappear when I use distractions or when I hold some valerian tincture in my mouth. How do you go around it without reinforcing the idea that something is wrong and stop your brain to jump into worst case scenario?
Thank you so much for this two part series. I've been struggling with anxiety for several years now and it feels like a rollercoaster with many ups and downs. A few years ago, I was seeing a therapist because of my somatic symptom disorder. My therapist certainly was the wrong choice as it was a depth psychology approach, so it didn’t help me with my anxiety. Your video helped me understand for the first time how important it is to quit those compulsive behaviors. While I’m never googling any symptoms, I’m certainly looking for assurance from family and my doctors. But my biggest struggle are probably certain triggers that everyone naturally comes along in their lives. For example, if I’m watching a tv show and one of the characters is getting ill and is starting to show certain symptoms, I will remember those symptoms later as if they were burned into my mind. It’s come to a point where I know the moment I’m hearing about an illness with certain symptoms, one day later I experience all those symptoms. Of course, my anxiety skyrockets and my brain is trying to convince me I have that illness. I’ve been trying to avoid possible triggers for such a long time now, but of course it isn’t always possible. I’m not really sure how to cope with that, because there will always be people who are talking about their illnesses or symptoms or movies where some characters are experiencing an illness. Scanning every media for possible triggers is really exhausting and I also can’t tell everyone to never talk about illnesses. It always feels like a switch being flipped because of one trigger I couldn’t avoid even though I am trying so hard. Is this normal and what can I do about it? Thank you so much!
Hi Julia. What you are describing is so normal. Unfortunately, avoidance behaviors give your brain the message that being afraid of those triggers is of utmost importance. Therefore, when you are triggered, you will have an even greater anxiety response. When addressing this in therapy with a client, I recommend the client exposure themselves to their triggers with a goal of tolerating the anxiety. It is actually a form of exposure therapy. We have to teach our brains that we can tolerate the anxiety and do nothing to reassure ourselves when facing a trigger. It is difficult, but rewiring the brain through the exposure is most helpful. Thank you for your comments. 😊
Is regular thinking of doing meditation each time stress about health arises a problem?
Yes, unfortunately it is a problem. You are unintentionally responding to the health anxiety by doing something to calm yourself down. This creates a reinforcing health anxiety cycle and the meditation is taking the place of a compulsion, or a behavior that reduces the anxiety. It teaches that brain to be fearful of those health thoughts and sensations and will create an urge in you to do meditation or something else every time the thoughts come up. And this creates an OCD/health anxiety cycle that will continue to demand your attention. For more help for health anxiety here are some resources:
Health anxiety assessment
www.paigepradko.com/healthanxietyquiz
OnLine Course: Rapid Recovery from Health Anxiety
www.paigepradko.com/healthanxiety
I’m using these techniques to help get over my retroactive jealousy OCD have you ever made a video on this. If not could you thanks.
That is a great suggestion, Steve. I know that it causes suffering in many.
Oh no, viewers of this video are seeking reassurance. Crap, I can’t win. Lol
Strategic Exposure Therapy, mindfulness & Acceptance seem like the right way for me. Thank you Doctor. 🌷🇨🇦👍❤️
Thanks for watching. If you are interested in more treatment help for Health Anxiety, I have developed an online therapy course for Recovery from Health Anxiety. Go to PaigePradko.com for more information.
Strategic exposure therapy sounds interesting. I always bug the heck out of my friends catastrophizing.
I love Strategy Exposure Therapy. And, catastrophizing with friends may be a way that you are trying to seek reassurance. Seeking reassurance feels good at the moment, but actually makes our long term anxiety worse...because we are treating all of our fears as if they are truths. You may want to experiment with tolerating your anxiety until the discomfort dies down. Just a thought. Wishing you the best.
Paige Pradko LPC NCC It actually works but is pretty challenging.
Paige Pradko LPC NCC I saw a couple of raccoons on our surveillance cameras. Might have given my cats and me rabies.
You can see how your mind creates a dangerous scenario out of a normal occurrence. Your job in this scenario is to identify your thought as an anxious thought. And then, tolerate the anxiety the thought produces...and let time pass. Do not argue with the thought or google search about your thought. Just let it be, and continue your life.
When not reinforcing the behavior when having a health anxiety attack, do you preform coping methods, or do you just ignore then anxiety until it goes away?
Great question. There are several forms of ERP treatment. But, the most important thing is to NOT do any coping behaviors like googling symptoms, checking your body symptoms, reassurance seeking, or avoidance behaviors. Those types of coping make the anxiety worse. Instead, focus on accepting the uncertainty of health, which is what we all have to do. None of us come with guarantees. We all have to tolerate health uncertainty. For further treatment, you can do ERP scripts and exposures. I am creating an online treatment class for health anxiety that I will post when it becomes available.
I don't know what I have, it became some what of a problem though
So sorry to hear that. Hope you feel better.
How do I gauge when is a reasonable time to see a Dr so I'm not just seeking reassurance that keeps my anxiety going?
This is such an important question. I talk to every client with health anxiety about this subject. Physicians do not often speak to their patients about health anxiety. Although, they recognize when a patient is repeatedly making appointments out of fear and the need for reassurance. My clients have typically worn down pathways to their doctors, cardiologists and emergency rooms for unnecessary appointments. We discuss informing and acknowledging to their physicians that they in fact suffer from health anxiety and that they want their physician to consider their health anxiety by not encouraging unnecessary testing or reassurance. Most physicians offer reassurance because they naturally want to calm their patients. They do not realize that they are actually reinforcing their patient’s anxiety cycle. Therefore, they discuss scheduling appointments according to their doctor’s recommendation and standard of care guidelines. For example, if a cardiologist tells a patient, “I would like to see you in one year”, the patient sticks to that schedule. To summarize, I recommend disclosing to your doctors that you suffer from health anxiety and asking for their help by avoiding unnecessary testing and reassurance that may reinforce the anxiety. And follow up appointments will be scheduled according to the recommendation of their physicians. Thank you for asking such a relevant and important question.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy ]
I just came across your video seeking help for a friend. I will certainly prefer this information to her. Then she came seek a therapist who can help her.
Paige Pradko LPC NCC yess
Thank You so much Paige, I really appreciate your videos on Health Anxiety. I watched both. Can you help me with some more information. I want to conquer it once and for all.
Hi Thomas.
I am sorry that you are struggling with health anxiety. I recommend stopping all behaviors like checking body symptoms, googling symptoms, excessive testing, and seeking reassurance. You can create your own scripts to listen to and target your core fears if you need additional exposures. Here is my video on how to write scripts. Health anxiety acts like OCD and is treated the same way. ua-cam.com/video/HrjM091rcXc/v-deo.html
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Thank You, I appreciate your help. Can anxiety last for hours or days? I’m trying my best to deal with it. I want to just have a week straight with no anxiety. Can you suggest some ways I can feel no anxiety?
Oh man! This sounds all too familiar! I went to Ent because my throat hurt when yawning, or swollowing. I was sure it was a muscle, but still went. I have been suffering from this for about 4 years on and off. So this ENT said one of my tomsils was bigger than the other and said it can be an infection, or tonsil cancer!!! Well that started my worst episodes of health anxiety since last year, even though I went to 2 more ENTS 3 days straight. The other 2 said they looked fine. But this has ruined my life, every day checking my neck for lumps, and looking on google etc etc. its messed up.
That one experience with the first ENT really activated the fear center of your brain. You will have to identify and stop all of your compulsive behaviors like googling symptoms, feeling your throat, going to appointments, etc. You can even do short daily exposures on your worst imagined fearful thoughts if you anxiety does not decrease with eliminating those behaviors. Health anxiety is challenging, but treatable. I wish you well.
Do you still feel hurt in your throat? Do you also feel that there's a lump in your neck?
When i consentare in my chest or long exhale.... 1.stress 2.tention.breathing through chest. 3.fear of the death. Thinking about cancers or brain tumor?
I am sorry that you are having those worries. 🙏
@@PaigePradkoTherapy its ok no problem thank u
My ecg was fine 3 months ago.Had heart palpitations and burning chest 2 weeks ago.Not been sleeping well 2 to 3 hours since palpitions.My recent ecg read consider heart block 2.Cant understand why good to bad inside months,could it be lack of sleep?
So very helpful thanks! I am looking to read a book on health anxiety and how to beat this debilitating condition. Do you have any recommendations please?
Great question. I have never read a book about health anxiety, so I cannot make a recommendation. But, I am sure they are out there. I learn from working with clients and reading current research from university library searches. I am glad you found the video helpful. 😊
I have health anxiety right now and accepting it is very helpful
Yes, it is. ❤️
I have a feeling of having colon cancer , as i have narrow stools for few days , i dont even know if its narrow , my fear is so high , my brains make me think its narrow , .My doubt is should i exposure myself , if so , for how .long , before seeking a doctor , which is considered reassurance . My brain says its emergency , to check a doctor , but it did like 10+ times i visited doctors previously in hospital
I am so sorry that you are experiencing health anxiety. If you have already seen a doctor for this problem in the last year, and your doctor said there is no problem, and you have a history of health anxiety, you do not need to see a doctor. That reassurance will only be temporary and will only make the health anxiety worse. If I were seeing a patient with your symptoms, I would suggest that they tolerate the anxiety without doctor appointments and stop all methods of researching, googling, and checking body symptoms. That means no inspecting their stool at all. This typically calms down their anxiety. Some clients need to go further into developing erp scripts and other exposures. Here is a playlist for help with health anxiety ua-cam.com/play/PL1lUhuKpYUYonn-zlZxzTRR8V4myEHgCY.html
If you are subscribed to my UA-cam channel, you will soon hear about more help I am offering for people with health anxiety.