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Suggest Treatment For Health Anxiety

Posted on Mon, 29 Jun 2015

Question: Hello: This is my third question and I'm pretty sure it's related to anxiety. As I've explained in my previous questions I'm 31 in great shape, good bp, cholesterol and blood work. Recent CT scans of brain, sinuses and neck. I do however have a bad case of health anxiety. Lately I have been super paranoid about having a seizure even tho I've never had one and nobody in my family has either. Is this just anxiety? It started after I felt really shaky after a weight lifting session and got worse after a minor auto accident a few weeks ago. Not sure if it's just anxiety.
My GP says I'm fine and have zero symptoms or risk factors of ever having a seizure.

Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes it is pure anxiety , Psychotherapy would help in this

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome back to healthcaremagic.

I read your previous queries and understood your concern.

You are over concerned about your health.Sometime such anxiety about health exaggerates with some physical or psychological stressful event.Same happened after weight lifting and minor auto accident.These things can cause some shaky feelings and some anxiety even in normal person.So in your case you misinterpreted such physical response as risk of seizure and nothing else.
You have been prescribed 0.5 mg xanax when required. This suggests you do not have serious anxiety problem otherwise other anti anxiety drugs would be there.
Your worries about seizure is pure anxiety and nothing else.Your GP has already confirmed that there is no risk.

You need detail counseling regarding your health issues.In my opinion Cognitive behavior therapy(CBT) and relaxation techniques will help and may cure this problem without need of medicines.

Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.

Regards,
Dr.Chitan Solanki.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Chintan Solanki (5 minutes later)

So you think all of my concerns are pure anxiety? I have been told many times that I worry too much about my health. Do you have any recommendation for CBT?

Thanks again!

Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes it is pure anxiety, CBT will of course help

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for follow up.

From available history I can say that you are having pure anxiety.
Yes you are at age of 31 with all investigations normal suffering from anxiety about your health.

CBT will help to stop such automatic negative thoughts about your health. You should not go to doctor every time for investigation or check up as it may increase your anxiety.Ask your GP to refer you to someone who can help you through psychotherapy/CBT.

Take care.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar