How to Manage Health Anxiety

Many factors can create health-related anxiety. Two Keck Medicine experts share advice for how to manage stressors.

Steven Siegel, MD, PhD, chief mental health and wellness officer, USC Psychiatry and Behavioral Services

There are three facets of health anxiety: 1) worry over aging and loss of function, 2) stress about a disease that you have, 3) fear of a disease in the news or a condition you don’t have.

To address the first type, accepting that aging is a normal process is a huge help. If you’re specifically worried about things like mobility, strength and balance, then it’s important to practice these things.

Even adding simple stretching to your routine can improve your mindset so you no longer feel that you’re marching toward the worst reality.

“Everything that’s happened to somebody else isn’t necessarily going to happen to you.”

Steven Siegel, MD, PhD

For anxiety around a diagnosed disease, stay in good communication with your clinician and be explicit about your concerns.

The worst-case scenario in your head or in articles online might not be what your doctor thinks is happening to you. They can help vet your worries and give a balanced perspective.

In terms of worrying about diseases or conditions you don’t have, really be intentional about remembering that everything in the media isn’t your reality.

Everything that’s happened to somebody else isn’t necessarily going to happen to you.

Jai Chung, NP-C, nurse practitioner, Cardiology and Internal Medicine

Anxiety is big and it’s everywhere. There are many layers and roots to it, and it affects anyone from patients to family members and providers. The best skill you can have to manage it is to identify where it’s coming from.

If you are seeking a solution for a troublesome symptom, often anxiety stems from wondering if anyone can help you. As clinicians, it’s important for us to address your concerns. We can help relieve your stress by clearly explaining your diagnosis and reassuring you about the available treatments we offer for your condition.

“The best skill you can have to manage [anxiety] is to identify where it’s coming from.”

Jai Chung, NP-C

In this situation, the most important thing you can do is ask your provider all your questions.

Postoperative depression is also a cause of anxiety for cardiology patients. After a major surgery, it’s very common to experience a deconditioning period — both physically and mentally.

The best course of action for this is to understand this period is completely normal and not permanent. We can offer medications to relieve symptoms, but many times just understanding that this is a normal part of recovery can help ease your mind.

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