GET HELP FOR HYPOCHONDRIA

PSYCHIATRIST Poppy Motene says seeking help involves consulting a clinical psychologist who can assist you with relieving your health anxiety issues.

“The health professional will give you a day-to-day guide on how to curb your health anxiety.”

These may include:

Coming to terms with death

Most people who have these concerns about their health are often petrified of death, and one of the first things that a person with health anxieties needs to come to terms with is the fact that death is an inevitable part of the human cycle.

This can be a very difficult thing to accept, but once this hurdle has been overcome, one finds that they can actually get to live their life to the fullest, without allowing petty things to disturb their quality of life.

With therapy, they can realise how much the constant worry is actually distracting them from living, because they are so concerned about what could ultimately lead to their death.

Eliminate the ‘what ifs’

“What ifs” are a huge and constant struggle that health anxiety sufferers face. What if this mosquito bite has infected me with malaria? What if this sore tummy is actually appendicitis? A psychologist will help eliminate this constant second-guessing mentality, and help the patient realise that the answer to “what if” is “we will take care of it”.

Replacing worrying time with a more fulfilling activity

The time you spend worrying you may be sick or searching for various sources of information can actually be used for other, more purposeful activities, and the health professional will help the patient do this.

So, for example, if you are worried your headache is actually a brain tumour and you will not see your kids again, when that thought crosses your mind, how about doing a fun kids activity?