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HOW TO ... BATTLE HYPOCHONDRIA
Health anxiety can be a serious
medical condition that requires professional counseling and
medication. Here are other steps that may help keep it at bay:
Go to the doctor: Share your
specific fears and have a physical exam or needed tests to
(hopefully) set your mind more at ease ...
... but don't switch doctors
too much. Find a doctor you like and do your best to trust the
diagnoses. While second opinions can be good, don't keep
seeking out other doctors willing to run more and more tests.
Avoid the Internet. It's too
easy to match up your symptoms with a long list of serious
health problems that you almost certainly don't have.
Read selectively. Especially
skip magazine articles warning of diseases that doctors often
miss or misdiagnose, which often list vague — and common —
symptoms.
Don't over-monitor yourself.
Constantly checking for growths or taking pulse or blood
pressure readings isn't helpful. Ask your doctor what
self-exams to do and stick to that advice.
Share your fears. Talking about
anxiety can help reduce it. Find patient family members and
friends and look for local or online anxiety support groups.
Recognize your problem. The
earlier you accept you have hypochondria, the easier it is to
get help. Health anxiety is a form of obsessive-compulsive
disorder — not something to feel guilty or helpless about
— and can be very treatable.
Educate yourself. The more you
know about hypochondria, the more likely you'll be to stick to
a treatment plan.
Exercise regularly. Working up
a sweat helps fight many types of anxiety.
Limit alcohol and illegal
drugs. Substance abuse can increase paranoia and also interact
badly with anti-anxiety medications.
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