How can I distinguish between health anxiety and "true" health concerns?
Health Anxiety vs. "True" Health Concerns
None of us get to live with 100% certainty and be assured that we are perfectly healthy. Therefore, a good amount of the work required to move past anxiety is learning to tolerate uncertainty. Here are some signs that you are stuck in an anxiety moment vs. managing a true health crisis:
- You feel compelled to get an immediate answer vs. being able to pause, reflect and then methodically think through your next steps.
- You feel as though you are experiencing an immediate, active threat even though the health concern you are worried about does not have implications for managing and surviving the current moment.
- You feel flooded with thoughts and sensations associated with anxiety vs. experiencing actual physical pain.
To Learn More About Empirically Supported Treatment For Health Anxiety, Check Out the Helpful Webinars Below.
Dr. Debra Kissen is CEO of Light On Anxiety CBT Treatment Center. Dr. Kissen specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety and related disorders. Dr. Kissen is the author of the Panic Workbook for Teens, Rewire Your Anxious Brains for Teens: Using CBT, Neuroscience, and Mindfulness to Help You End Anxiety, Panic, and Worry (The Instant Help Solutions Series) and Break Free from Intrusive Thoughts: An Evidence-Based Guide for Managing Fear and Finding Peace. Dr. Kissen also has a special interest in the principles of mindfulness and their application for anxiety disorders. Dr. Kissen has presented her research on CBT and mindfulness-based treatments for anxiety and related disorders at regional and national conferences. Dr. Kissen is the Co-Chair of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America Public Education Committee. Dr. Kissen was the recipient of the 2020 Gratitude for Giving Spirit Award and the 2018 Anxiety Depression Association of America Member of Distinction Award.
Learn more about Dr. Kissen and her own journey through past anxiety & panic disorder.