Exacerbating hypochondria
Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 09:45AM
Illness anxiety disorder, sometimes called hypochondriasis or health anxiety, is worrying excessively that you are or may become seriously ill. You may have no physical symptoms. Or you may believe that normal body sensations or minor symptoms are signs of severe illness, even though a thorough medical exam doesn't reveal a serious medical condition. Mayo Clinic
It’s difficult to get through a day of email, broadcast news, or social media without becoming just a little bit paranoid about one’s health. In just the past week, the AARP Newsletter shared the following clickbait:
- 7 Common Foods That Can Cause Belly Bloating
- Is a Morning Cup of Coffee Good or Bad for Your Eyes?
- 7 Foods That Don't Mix With Prescription Drugs
Quite honestly, I am sick of health advice, regardless of the source. Unless you have some strange condition, most health advice can be boiled down to:
- Eat a lot of vegetables and don’t overeat
- Exercise regularly
- Get plenty of sleep
- Practice moderation
- Get a flu shot and have an annual physical
Digging into “research” surrounding certain foods, habits, and practices and then using small trial studies to cast a shadow over the entire human race may make for good headlines and a hotter market for expensive pharmaceuticals or medical tests by specialists. But does such reporting also exacerbate hypochondria in the emotionally fragile? And might excessive worry over one’s health actually make one less healthy?
Granted, I have been blessed with a pretty healthy body for all of my 70+ years. Good genes account for much of this. But might not worrying also have played a part? I have stopped looking at health related stories regardless of source. I’ve also stopped spending time on investment advice, emotional resilience advice, and fashion tips (but then anyone who know me knows I never looked at guidance on how to dress).
Stop reading the click bait. Start living instead.
Off for a hike.
Reader Comments (1)
My husband and I are always amazed at how many different medications are advertised on TV but they don't tell you what it is for. They encourage you to tell your doctor that you need it though! We are getting ready for a weeklong camping and hiking trip in the Smokies for the annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage. If you ever get a chance to go to this, it is a lot of fun!