EP 16: Understanding and Managing Health Anxiety

In this episode of Relational Lives, Ali and Ros delve into the complex experience of health anxiety - what it is, how it develops, and what practical steps can be taken to manage it. Ali shares insights from cognitive behavioural therapy, discussing effective tools such as identifying safety behaviours, understanding personal values, and building tolerance for uncertainty. Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or trying to understand a loved one, this episode offers hope, clarity, and actionable advice.

Shownotes:

Episode: Understanding and Managing Health Anxiety

In this episode:

00:00 – Intro and what’s coming up
01:00 – What is health anxiety?
02:50 – Common misunderstandings and impact on daily life
04:30 – How CBT and EMDR can help
06:00 – The roots of health anxiety: trauma, personal history, illness
10:30 – How health anxiety shows up in the body
13:00 – Safety behaviours explained
18:00 – Triggers: friends’ stories, news, social media
22:00 – Real-life therapy examples and checking behaviours
26:00 – Safety behaviours experiment
31:00 – The problem with reassurance-seeking
36:00 – Introducing values-based work
38:30 – Therapy options and what to do if you can’t afford private help
41:00 – Three takeaway tips for managing health anxiety
45:00 – Outro

Resources mentioned:

📕 Overcoming Health Anxiety by David Veale and Rob Willson (Part of Overcoming Series)

📍 NHS Talking Therapies (UK) – Free CBT referral via GP

Previous episodes on:

Understanding Anxiety - Why Your Brain's Alarm System Freaks Out:
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-ghvvi-1852bb6

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Want to share your story or come on the show to discuss your dilemma? Write to us and we might cover it in a future episode. Drop us a message at relationalives@gmail.com or you can anonymously complete our form here: https://forms.office.com/e/qcrCkbhPiT. We’d also love to hear updates if you’ve written in before. 

Have a question or want to share your thoughts on health anxiety? Reach out at relationallives@gmail.com. Subscribe for future episodes on OCD, trauma, attachment and more mental health topics. If you found this episode helpful, please like this video or share it with a friend.  

Disclaimer:
Please remember, this is not meant to be a replacement for personal therapy and is for information and self-reflection only. Please reach out to an appropriate professional in your area if you feel you need individualised help.  

Credits:  
Music by: Stile Tree Audio
Produced by: Synergy Podcast Studio