Mental Health is Health…

A Letter From A Therapist: Issue 23

There is no doubt about it - we have come a long way in understanding the connection between physical and mental health. What happens though when conditions overlap? It is incredibly natural to pay attention (sometimes even close attention) to your body. For some, however, concerns about physical health can greatly overwhelm and initiate intense distress, resulting in health anxiety.

An example of health anxiety is that some individuals relate the feelings of a racing heart to the result of exercise exertion while others fear it is the beginning stirrings of a heart attack. You can see a clear differential in levels of intensity. The extreme thought response can trigger a form of anxiety that involves excessive perseveration about having or developing a serious illness. Once developed, this thought process can lead to a cycle of distressing symptoms such as compulsive monitoring of body functions, obsessions over clinical data, seeking repetitive reassurance from loved ones/providers, avoiding medical engagement, and difficulties moderating daily tasks due to preoccupations.

It is important that we don’t minimize the presentations of these themes as overthinking or a ploy for attention-seeking but rather attempt to understand the development of the fears to better conceptualize how they manifested. Often, there are lived experiences the individual has endured that reinforces the need to be vigilant about their health. Perhaps they personally have a history of experiencing medical emergencies or witnessed a loved one’s illness or death. Maybe they have a history in which their health needs were gravely minimized or dismissed which exacerbated concerns. Other factors of health anxiety can result from feeling unsupported by the medical industry as a whole, which could  even include difficulties seeking approval for health insurance coverage and enduring related financial burden. Oftentimes it’s not one single event that develops this theme of distress but rather multiple factors that the individual to be intensely aware.

Therapy can assist with developing a supportive environment to challenge these perseverations to grow a more effective form of mindfulness. In addition, EMDR can assist with reducing the emotional intensity attached to these anxieties. Rather than further perseverate on the anxious thoughts, EMDR can help to identify and reprocess the vulnerable experiences fueling the distress so that the nervous system reduces its reactivity. For those struggling with true objective medical needs, the therapeutic work would not eliminate appropriate concern for health management. Rather, it would help to create a healthier balance between awareness and fear.

Health anxiety can lead to isolation and feelings of worthlessness due to the negative perception of being weak. It is important to reframe this maladaptive thought content and acknowledge that it is typically a result of the nervous system suspecting a threat and staying on high alert to address it. With therapeutic support, it is possible to end this cycle of fear and to reinforce feeling safe in your body and confident in your ability to heal.

Best Regards,

Amanda J. Elwell, LPC, LMHC

July 27th, 2026