Health anxiety is a persistent fear of being seriously unwell, even when medical reassurance has been given. It often involves heightened awareness of bodily sensations, frequent checking of symptoms, and a tendency to assume the worst-case scenario. For some people, even minor physical changes can trigger intense worry and distress.
While it’s natural to be concerned about your health at times, health anxiety can begin to dominate thoughts, disrupt daily life, and cause ongoing emotional strain.
Here at York Therapy Clinic, we offer health anxiety counselling in York that is compassionate, personalised, and grounded in proven therapeutic approaches.
Why Health Anxiety Feels So Overwhelming
Health anxiety is often driven by a cycle of worry and reassurance-seeking. You might notice a sensation, search for information, seek reassurance from others or professionals, feel brief relief, and then find the anxiety quickly returns. Over time, this cycle can increase sensitivity to physical sensations and reinforce fear.
Living with health anxiety can lead to exhaustion, difficulty concentrating, disrupted sleep, and avoidance of certain activities or situations. It can also affect relationships, particularly when loved ones struggle to understand the depth of fear involved.
Managing Health Anxiety
Learning to manage health anxiety involves developing new ways to respond to anxious thoughts and bodily sensations. Rather than trying to eliminate anxiety entirely, the goal is to reduce its impact and regain a sense of balance. Helpful strategies may include:
Support from a certified therapist can be especially valuable in helping you work through these changes in a safe and structured way.
How Counselling Can Help
For those who may be struggling, counselling offers a confidential space to explore the fears and beliefs underlying health anxiety.
Approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help challenge unhelpful thought patterns, reduce anxiety-driven behaviours, and build long-term coping skills. Therapy can also address related issues such as stress, panic, or low mood.
Health Anxiety Counselling York
At York Therapy Clinic, we offer compassionate, evidence-based counselling for individuals struggling with health anxiety. Our therapists take time to understand your experiences and work with you to develop practical strategies that support lasting change.
To learn more about our support for health anxiety, contact our team today on 07788 129245 to book your initial appointment.
Contact York Therapy Clinic