How to deal with anxiety caused by excessive concern for physical health?

Hello, question asker! I'm Enoch, your answerer.

Given that the questioner is anxious about his body, I'm not sure what's wrong with me.

It's worth noting that many people with no apparent issues will have some degree of personality or physical and mental abnormalities due to psychological tendencies.

So, the psychological phenomenon of the questioner can be described as hypochondriasis to some extent. This kind of psychology is often caused by some minor psychological discomfort, which then leads to anxiety due to excessive psychological tension caused by this minor discomfort. Anxiety then prompts you to pay excessive attention to your body and the degree of physical discomfort, which in turn gives rise to some exaggerated thoughts and a desire to quickly and completely solve your physical and mental problems.

After this happened, the parents weren't professionals and might not have been able to help the questioner relieve her anxiety quickly. They also might have made the questioner feel more helpless because they misunderstood her, which made the anxiety worse. As a result, the questioner became more anxious and sad.

In this situation, the questioner can get a checkup on the parts of the body that make them feel uncomfortable. If everything looks normal, it's best to relax, stop focusing on their body, and do more important things to enrich their lives and distract themselves. They should stop focusing too much on their body, and this condition will generally subside on its own. If they still feel uncomfortable, it's also a good idea for the questioner to seek help from a professional psychological counselor.

Hello, question asker!

Shake hands first to feel the sense of empathy.

I understand the questioner's feelings because I'm the same way. I always suspect I have a serious illness, even cancer. I often look up information online and check the symptoms. When some of the symptoms match, my heart will thump; if the results are okay, I'll breathe a little easier, but I still don't feel at ease. I have an allergic constitution, so I inevitably have all kinds of discomforts, which intensifies the feeling that I'm sick.

I always thought I was sick, but I was reluctant to seek medical treatment. I was determined not to go to the hospital or do any tests. I was afraid the results would confirm my suspicions, but I refused to face that result.

And it all started that year during the epidemic.

Shortly after the Wuhan epidemic ended that year, my father felt unwell. As a medical professional, my sister was busy fighting the post-epidemic nucleic acid battle and did not pay timely attention to my father. My father, who had always been in good health and had never had any problems, did not think it was a serious illness, so he just went to a doctor he knew to get some medicine. However, after a period of time, his condition did not improve significantly. My sister insisted that my father be sent to the hospital for tests, and as soon as the results came back, he was diagnosed with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, the king of cancers, and it was in an advanced stage. At that moment, I felt nothing, I was completely numb...

One month and eight days later, my father passed away, and I was devastated.

Since then, whenever I feel a little unwell, I know I might have a serious illness, but I refuse to get checked!

The questioner said he didn't know when he started paying too much attention to his health. I'd like to know what caused it. And what do you think of when you feel unwell?

For example, I think of my father. We can only untie the knot by finding the root of the problem.

The questioner should go to the hospital for a full body physical. This will put the questioner's mind at ease.

If there's nothing physically wrong with you, it's probably a psychological problem.

I am making progress. I still occasionally feel that something is wrong with my body, but my attitude is much better than before. I am trying to slowly come out of it.

In the third month of my retreat, my younger sister gave me a 4-month-old stuffed cat that she had adopted. She told me to take good care of this poor abandoned cat. I did, and slowly my focus began to shift to the cat. I no longer just indulged in my grief and physical discomfort. I started to look for information and read books to take good care of the cat. I was able to take psychology classes and read psychology books. I used the knowledge I had learned to heal myself.

The questioner's feeling of physical discomfort is real. The questioner can communicate with their parents, tell them their true feelings, let them understand them, and work together to solve the problem.

This is my personal experience and feelings. I am confident that it will be helpful to the questioner, and I also expect that the questioner will soon get out of this dark cloud.

Good day. I perused your query, in which you articulated the distress caused by an excessive focus on your physical well-being.

Given that the majority of individuals prioritize their health, excessive attention to health-related matters can lead to mental fatigue.

First, it is essential to ascertain whether there is indeed a genuine medical issue at hand or whether one's proclivity for hypochondria is the primary factor driving the suspicion of an underlying illness.

2. It is therefore essential to have an accurate assessment of one's own physical health. Even in the absence of a significant underlying issue, if the concern is largely a product of hypochondriacal tendencies, it is crucial to gradually disengage from the tendency to fixate on and dwell on the matter.

3. Additionally, you have indicated that it is simple to misidentify a minor issue as a significant illness. This represents a further example of your prevailing mode of thought.

With regard to the subject of physical health, this behavior is also a consequence of the anxious emotions that automatically engage the subjective consciousness. Furthermore, the constant attention has resulted in the formation of an addictive pattern of automatic attention to the body.

4. In the event that one believes that there are no significant issues with one's physical health, it is imperative to disrupt the established pattern of constant attention to one's body.

It is recommended that one pay less attention to physical aspects. Initially, when one deliberately stops paying attention, one may still experience anxiety and restlessness, which are emotional responses. It is not advisable to fight against these emotions.

It is of the utmost importance that one's subjective consciousness refrain from perpetuating the problem by focusing on it and perpetuating the association of negativity.

To illustrate, if the body emits a signal indicating an underlying issue, the brain will register this signal. Subsequently, the brain will become aware of it, prompting the realization that this is merely a reaction and that there is no actual underlying problem with the body.

It is crucial to refrain from adhering to this signal and this emotional response, and to refrain from associating thoughts of the affliction with suspicion.

6. The body's automatic response is subject to a chronic self-healing process.

It is therefore essential to maintain constant awareness of one's own thoughts and behaviours, to challenge any tendency towards suspicion and doubt, and to avoid the tendency to catastrophise.

7. As the mind gradually develops new response mechanisms, the notion of attending to one's physical well-being becomes less alienating and more integrated into one's cognitive process. This integration allows for a more harmonious coexistence between thoughts and physical health.

8. It is this author's recommendation that the practice of mindfulness meditation be undertaken. The act of practicing with guided mindfulness audios on a daily basis has been demonstrated to have a soothing and relaxing effect on the body and mind, while also serving to relieve anxiety and nervousness.

Given that the mind is in a constant state of thought and anxiety, it is evident that the body is also affected by this tension. It is clear that human emotions have a significant impact on the body.

Therefore, as a result of the aforementioned processes, when anxiety levels decline and the incidence of physical health issues, mental interactions, and stress is reduced, the overall improvement of physical and mental well-being will be observed.

9. I recommend the book Self-Help for Anxiety Disorders. It addresses the physical disorders that may result from mental anxiety. Readers are encouraged to peruse this text.

Additionally, two other noteworthy texts are "Jump Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life" and "The Happiness Trap." Both are centered on ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and offer valuable insights into regulating the body and mind.

One may choose to read one of these texts initially to gain an understanding of the subject matter.

This is my response, and I hope it proves useful.

Dear questioner,

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to connect with you at Yi Xinli.

The original poster's gratitude for his own active self-awareness has prompted the question: "How can I address the anxiety caused by excessive concern about my health?"

After carefully reading the question the original poster is seeking to discuss, and the fact that the original poster took the initiative to come here for help, it seems there may be a few different ways to approach answering it.

I have also given this topic some thought and would like to share my reflections and thoughts with the topic owner for their consideration.

I wonder if I might suggest that we consider the following.

Perhaps it would be helpful to first try to sort out the specific confusion described by the questioner and then to try to understand and analyze it.

I'm not sure exactly when I started to pay more attention to my health.

It's possible that everyone will experience a "special time" when they notice changes in the physical condition of those around them, or when they encounter a special event, face realistic pressure, or navigate interpersonal relationships or emotional changes. It's also possible that these experiences, which we may not fully realize, are linked to changes in our own bodies. When we encounter these changes, they can feel overwhelming, and we may find ourselves relating them to the vulnerability of our own bodies, which can lead to feelings of self-pity.

I feel anxious and sad about it, and I've even been misunderstood by my parents.

It may be the case that the questioner's anxiety and sadness stem more from the experiential cognitive thinking mode that we have "solidified/acquired/developed." It's also possible that it's because we were once misunderstood by our parents.

Perhaps you feel like your needs are being denied or that you are not being trusted.

Those feelings that are not fully understood can lead us to feel powerless, which can in turn lead to feelings of sadness and frustration. It is worth asking ourselves how much we truly desire to be accepted and understood.

It may be the case that behind our feelings of anxiety and sadness, there are suppressed desires and unfulfilled needs. Could it be that in the present moment, we are repeating a previous pattern of feelings?

Perhaps I'm overreacting to a minor problem. I've been feeling rather low lately, as though something is wrong with me. I try to pay attention to my health every day, which can be quite tiring. What would you suggest I do?

—— It might be helpful to consider that when we are in a state of anxiety, sadness, or negative emotional feelings, we may unconsciously amplify our feelings. For example, it's possible that the questioner may imagine minor problems as being more significant than they really are.

—— When we are in a low-energy state, or when we repeat previous patterns of "denial/doubt/distrust/negative complaints," we may feel increasingly powerless, which could potentially exacerbate the state of being "questioned/belittled," which in turn may cause us to worry about our health. In other words, the questioner may have a sense that a "sickness/serious illness" is coming?

It is natural to focus on your physical well-being, but excessive attention to this aspect can lead to mental fatigue. This may be what the questioner is experiencing as exhaustion. It's possible that this anxiety is prompting the questioner to pause and reflect on the underlying causes of their fatigue.

Could I ask you to consider what your true inner needs might be? It may be that the anxiety you are experiencing is a result of a feeling that what you want in your heart, the uncertain future, and those things that you are asked to achieve are unattainable.

Perhaps it would be helpful to consider that what we perceive as anxiety could simply be a way of our minds trying to tell us that we need to calm down and reflect on where our tiredness comes from. It might also be beneficial to think about what our true inner needs are and whether we are asking too much of ourselves.

In light of the circumstances presented by the questioner, it might be beneficial to approach the matter in this manner. It is certainly worth a try.

[1] It may be helpful to try to accept your emotional state and understand the underlying causes of it. By understanding how your feelings of anxiety, tiredness or sadness arise, you may be able to gradually change them and feel more relief.

It could be said that acceptance is a prerequisite for change.

[2] You might consider becoming more aware of your emotional changes and physical reactions, and attempting to name your emotions and physical reactions. For example, you could name feelings such as anxiety, sadness, or tiredness. After naming these emotional feelings, they may gradually become more familiar to you.

[3] It may be helpful to learn to do things that relax and please your body and mind, as changes in mood and physical responses can also affect our thinking. You might like to try doing things that interest you, etc., to satisfy your physical and mental needs.

As an example,

Progressive muscle relaxation training – tension and relaxation training: You may find it helpful to successively tense and relax the large muscles of the body, such as the muscles of the calves, thighs, buttocks, lower back, abdomen, chest, arms, shoulders, and neck. Continue to tense until you feel you can't hold it any longer, then release and relax.

Language cues: It would be beneficial to use gentle, slow language cues to help you relax, calm down, and feel at ease.

It may be helpful to recall a past experience that was positive, such as a time of relaxation, joy, or confidence. Alternatively, you could imagine a beautiful scene, such as the blue sky, white clouds, or the seaside. Focus on the feeling of the scene as if it were really happening, even though it is an imagined experience.

It may be helpful to focus on the things you are interested in and good at. By emphasizing your strengths and avoiding your weaknesses, you can find it easier to focus and achieve results. This in turn can lead to feelings of relaxation, pleasure and confidence.

It would be beneficial to consider satisfying your physical and mental needs in a kind and understanding manner. This could involve identifying your physical and mental needs, providing yourself with appropriate satisfaction, and developing greater understanding, tolerance, and love towards yourself. As a starting point, you might like to try incorporating three small, enjoyable activities into your daily routine.

[4] Given the limited information provided by the questioner, it would be beneficial to explore the "ins and outs" of our inner feelings in greater depth and identify the root of our core problems. This could be achieved through more internal communication and discussion. It might be helpful to consult and discuss in more detail with a professional teacher, which could facilitate the questioner's early change and psychological growth.

The above is a response that combines the questioner's question. It is my hope that it will attract more opinions and encourage further reflection. I also hope to inspire and support the questioner. I would be grateful for more in-depth exchanges. I pray that the questioner will soon see the light at the end of the tunnel and gain insight into the root of their anxiety/illness, so that they can live a happy life with ease and joy!

I hope this finds you well. I just wanted to drop you a quick line to see how you're doing. I'm sending you lots of love and positive energy. ??

I am here to bring sunshine into your life, and I love you!

Good health is the foundation of our future. A healthy body makes us energetic and eager to try new things.

If we're not healthy, we can't enjoy the scenery, ride the carousel, or feel happy.

You're like a patient. Many old people are miserable because they're bedridden or can't take care of themselves. You're worried about your health.

You're sad and anxious. Your parents don't understand you. Have you talked to them about it?

If it's just a minor problem, write it down and talk about it. Think about what your friends think. When you feel down, think about if you're too anxious or if something bad has happened. Take a test for internal trauma and get a one-on-one interpretation. Good luck.

ZQ?