Health Anxiety Is Real—And It’s Not Just in Your Head

-
Health Anxiety Is Real—And It’s Not Just in Your Head

Because worry wears a white coat too.



😓 “I Googled my symptoms… and I’m scared.”

As a doctor, I’ve heard this more times than I can count.
And usually, it’s followed by nervous laughter, awkward silence, or a sentence that begins with—

> “I know it’s probably nothing, but…”



But sometimes, it’s not nothing.
Not because there’s a grave diagnosis.
But because there’s a very real fear.
And fear deserves care too.



🧠 What Is Health Anxiety, Really?

It’s when a headache feels like a tumor.
When a skipped heartbeat feels like the beginning of the end.
When one Google search turns into 30 tabs and three sleepless nights.

It’s not attention-seeking.
It’s not overreaction.
It’s anxiety—dressed in the language of illness.

And in the medical world, these people are often labelled as the “worried well.”
But they’re not always well.
Not in the way that matters.



🔁 The Damage of Being Dismissed

When we shrug off health anxiety as “just stress” or “it’s all in your head,”
We do three things:

1. We break trust.
They came for safety. They left feeling silly.


2. We teach silence.
Next time, they might not come at all.


3. We miss the real root.
Because the fear isn’t always about the body.
It’s about control. Trauma. Grief. Guilt. Loss. Or something they can’t name yet.



👨‍⚕️ How I Try to Respond Differently

Even if I’m certain the symptom isn’t serious…
I never treat the person as unserious.

I explain. I listen.
I validate the discomfort.
And then I try to gently reframe it:

> “Let’s explore this together. The body feels things when the mind is overloaded.”
“You’re not imagining the pain. But maybe there’s another layer we can look at.”
“Let’s treat the fear too—not just the symptom.”



💡 What I Tell My Patients—and Myself

Feeling anxious about your health doesn’t make you dramatic. It makes you human.

You don’t need to “qualify” your worry with a diagnosis to deserve help.

Mental health is health.


✅ What Next?

If you're constantly worried about your health, please know:
You're not weak. You're not broken.
You’re just someone who deserves both medical clarity and emotional safety.

💬 Have you or someone close to you experienced health anxiety? How did you navigate it?
Drop a comment. You’re not alone.

💡 Enjoyed this post? You might also like:
👉 “It’s Just Gas, Right? The Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore Anymore”

📩 Click the Subscribe button on the sidebar to get posts like this directly in your inbox.

🌐 Liked this piece? You might enjoy reading similar blogs on my main site:
👉 https://smartlifebydrrohit.blogspot.com

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The 5 Habits I'm Teaching My Daughter Before She Turns 5

-
Image
Introduction They say the first five years of a child’s life lay the foundation for who they’ll become. As a doctor, I’ve read the neuroscience behind early childhood development. But as a father, I’ve felt it—in the small, sacred moments that shape her worldview. This post isn’t a parenting manual. It’s a quiet reflection on the habits I’m consciously helping my daughter build. They’re simple, powerful, and rooted in values I hope will stay with her forever—even when she no longer needs to hold my hand. 1. Say “Good Morning” With a Smile Every day begins with a greeting, not with a groan. I want her to know that kindness can start at home, with the people she sees first. This habit isn’t just about being polite. It’s about: Acknowledging the presence of others Starting the day on a positive note Developing emotional awareness Even if the day gets rough, her first emotion was love. 2. Say “Thank You” Without Being Told Gratitude is not a skill—it’s a habit. From the peon wh...
Read more

What Losing My Cool Taught Me About Anger Management

-
Image
Introduction I’ve always considered myself a calm person. As a doctor, I’m trained to handle chaos. As a parent, I try to stay composed. But one day, I lost it. It wasn’t a major incident—just a series of small frustrations stacked one over the other. And I snapped. Loudly. Uncomfortably. Regretfully. That moment humbled me. And it taught me more about anger, ego, and emotional control than any book or course ever could. This isn’t a guide from a monk on a mountain. It’s a reflection from someone in the thick of life—like you—trying to be better, one emotion at a time. Anger Isn't the Enemy—Suppression Is Anger is a natural emotion. It’s our internal alert system. What becomes toxic is when we: Suppress it until it explodes Express it destructively Let it control our decisions What I learned: Naming it early (“I’m irritated…”) gave me more control than pretending it didn’t exist. Every Outburst Has a Trigger (and It’s Rarely the Person in Front of You) When I snapped, i...
Read more

How to Raise Financially Smart Kids (Even if You're Not a Finance Expert)

-
Image
Introduction Most schools teach our children how to multiply numbers—but not how to manage money. And many parents avoid talking about finances with their kids, either because they feel unqualified or believe it's “too early.” The result? A generation that knows algebra but not how to budget, invest, or say no to instant gratification. As a doctor and father, I’ve realized that raising financially smart kids is not about teaching them complex stock strategies. It’s about shaping their habits, values, and mindset around money—right from the early years. Here’s how you can start, even if you’ve never taken a finance course in your life. Lesson 1: Talk Money Early—Without Stress Children pick up emotional cues about money early on. If they only hear complaints like “money doesn’t grow on trees” or “we can’t afford anything,” they start seeing money as stressful or shameful. Instead: Use simple, neutral language when discussing money Explain how things cost money, not just ...
Read more