X
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product GuideSign in
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • COVID-19
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023

'Worried sick' might be more than just an expression, study says

3 min read

A recent study has said that hypochondriacs, or people who worry constantly about their health, might actually be making themselves sick from worry.

Health anxiety is a real problem

Researchers from Norway found that those that have "health anxiety" had twice the risk of experiencing a heart attack or acute chest pains compared to those who didn't worry as much.

Over 7,000 people were analyzed in a long-term study wherein the researchers examined the subjects' health over a period of 13 years. They conducted blood tests, checked blood pressure, and measured their height and weight. They also measured the patients' anxiety levels over the course of the study.

The researchers then found that those who had health anxiety had a 70% higher risk for heart disease.

There's still a lot of research to be done

While the study found a connection between being a hypochondriac and an increased risk for blood pressure, it still doesn't explain why hypochondriacs are at risk.

Additionally, the study doesn't account for other factors, such as ethnicity, lifestyle habits, or family history. In spite of those limitations, it does show a greater insight into the effects that health anxiety can have on the body.

This just highlights the importance of assessing a patient's mental health in addition to their physical health.

Being worried makes things worse

Worrying about your health is pretty normal. However, being worried to the point of constantly obsessing about it is a big problem.

People who suffer from health anxiety, commonly known as hypochondriacs, constantly worry about their health. Being online also makes it worse. Hypochondriacs will spend hours just reading about diseases or conditions that might be plaguing them.

For hypochondriacs, an upset stomach might mean stomach cancer, a scrape might mean tetanus, and a headache means they have a brain tumor. Health anxiety is a mental condition that's as real as depression, and it does interfere with people's lives.

Hypochondriacs might worry themselves to the point that they neglect to eat, or to keep themselves healthy. That's why treatment is very important since health anxiety might lead to an actual disease.

If you or someone you know has health anxiety, it's best to seek help. Health anxiety can better be managed through the use of therapy and medicine. The important thing is to make sure that their condition doesn't interfere with their quality of life.

 

Sources: WebMD, Tech Times, Huffington Post

READ: Changing your daily eating habits can ease anxiety, study finds

Partner Stories
A mom’s responsibility: Getting vaccinated for her children
A mom’s responsibility: Getting vaccinated for her children
Clearing The Air About Colds
Clearing The Air About Colds
Fever Care Tips We Learned From Our Moms
Fever Care Tips We Learned From Our Moms
The Secret to Faster Fever Recovery
The Secret to Faster Fever Recovery

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Jan Alwyn Batara

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • Health
  • /
  • 'Worried sick' might be more than just an expression, study says
Share:
  • How to count menstrual cycle? 4 phases of menstrual cycle

    How to count menstrual cycle? 4 phases of menstrual cycle

  • PCOS symptoms: What you need to know about Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

    PCOS symptoms: What you need to know about Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

  • How to lose weight in a week: 14 steps to lose weight fast

    How to lose weight in a week: 14 steps to lose weight fast

  • How to count menstrual cycle? 4 phases of menstrual cycle

    How to count menstrual cycle? 4 phases of menstrual cycle

  • PCOS symptoms: What you need to know about Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

    PCOS symptoms: What you need to know about Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

  • How to lose weight in a week: 14 steps to lose weight fast

    How to lose weight in a week: 14 steps to lose weight fast

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Baby Names
    • Delivery
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Advice for Parenting Kids
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Local celebs
    • Celebrities
    • Money
    • News
  • FAMILY & HOME
    • Couples
    • Weekend & Holiday Guide
    • Health
  • Building a BakuNation
    • More
      • TAP Community
      • Advertise With Us
      • Contact Us
      • Become a Contributor


    • Singapore flag Singapore
    • Thailand flag Thailand
    • Indonesia flag Indonesia
    • Philippines flag Philippines
    • Malaysia flag Malaysia
    • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
    • India flag India
    • Vietnam flag Vietnam
    • Australia flag Australia
    • Japan flag Japan
    • Nigeria flag Nigeria
    • Kenya flag Kenya
    © Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
    About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
    • Tools
    • Articles
    • Feed
    • Poll

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    theAsianparent heart icon
    Nais naming magpadala ng notification sa'yo tungkol sa latest news at update sa pag-aalaga ng baby at kanilang kalusugan.