Overcoming Health Anxiety: Letting Go of Your Fear of Illness

by Katherine M.B. Owens, Martin M. Antony

If you experience troubling symptoms, it’s only natural to worry about your health. But if your anxiety persists even after doctors tell you they can find nothing wrong, it may be hurting you more than it helps. You might research medical conditions on the internet, exercise constantly, or check your body for signs of disease, all the while growing more and more consumed by worry. And that worry has consequences of its own—the never-ending cycle of anxiety can all but destroy your quality of life.
 If you’re ready to stop being overly preoccupied with fears about your health, Overcoming Health Anxiety offers an evidence-based approach called cognitive behavioral therapy to help you get started. You’ll learn the difference between people with health anxiety and hypochondriacs, find the root of your health anxiety, and challenge illness-related thoughts. In time, you’ll drastically reduce your fears and enjoy a life free from recurring health-related worries.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Health, Mental Health, Self Help

168 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2011

Reviews

[Jacob Horner]

Pretty solid stuff. Leagues better than the last one, but didn't transform my life or anything. Good work tho, i liked it

[Kelly Greenwood]

Read to support a loved one.
Chapter Titles and Key Messages, and some notes to aid my memory of the messages in the book:
1. Understanding Health Anxiety
Physical sensations; thoughts and attention; behaviors; avoiding emotions.
2. Investment in Change
CHANE IS HARD. Stages: precontemplation; contemplation; preparation; action; maintenance; relapse. Set realistic and measurable goals. SMART - specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely.
3. Identifying and Changing Anxious Thinking
Cycle - feelings of anxiety and fear can lead to think negatively, to feel uncomfortable sensations and to behave fearfully. Overestimating probability; catastrophic thinking, confirmation bias.
4. Identifying and Changing Anxious Behaviors
Safety behaviors and avoidance. Try gradual exposure and confronting feared situations.
5. The Effect of Health Anxiety on Relationships
Reassurance Trap. Family and friends needs to consider planned disengagement.
6. Strategies for Dealing With Stress
Mindfulness. Breathing Retraining - from the diaphragm; long and slow. Progressive Muscle Relaxation.
7. Medications for Health Anxiety
Mediation and aerobic exercise are alternative (could be contemporaneous) approaches.

[Bre F]

Read this for work - was very well received. The exercises were organized and easy to follow.

[Andi]

Too much journaling for me.

[Morgan Burzynski]

it was pretty good i started taking zoloft and that cured me so

[sarah wilson]

The most helpful book I’ve read

At last a book that is clearly written and helps health anxiety sufferers. Thank you. Feel better already. Amazing work