So, you’re a hypochondriac parent? That’s not a surprise…parenthood has a way of exacerbating everything. Were you a little emotional before having kids? Prepare to bawl when your child takes their first step. Did you like buying baby clothes? Prepare to go on a full-on shopping trip once your little once is here.
The same goes for hypochondriacs. When you have a child, many hypochondriacs will find that their hypochondria is no longer just about them. In fact, it now extends to their child! While you may have a handle on your own hypochondria, it’s totally different when you become a parent. It can be very scary to consider everything you will need to do to keep your child safe and healthy.
Here are 12 ways to survive being a hypochondriac parent:
Get a good doctor that you trust and stick with them.
As a hypochondriac parent, one of the best things you can do is to find a trusted pediatrician. It’s best to stick with them throughout your child’s life – at least until they’re 18! Sticking with the same doctor will ensure that you have continuity of care. This is helpful because this doctor will know your child’s medical history. Because of this, they will be able to easily assess whether or not something is wrong.
When you’re looking for a doctor, we recommend finding one who is understanding and sympathetic to you being a hypochondriac parent. This will allow you to have conversations and dialogues with your child’s doctor honestly; they will also be able to go above and beyond in being reassuring knowing what you are struggling with personally.
Stay away from WebMD and other medical websites that can make your anxiety worse.
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again – stay away from WebMD! We know it’s SO incredibly tempting to look up every little symptom your child has. But, it’s not going to do you any good to do so. Instead, focus on staying calm yourself. This can be difficult, but it’s important to remember that your anxiety is only making the situation worse. Take some deep breaths, and remind yourself that your child is probably fine. Remember: you’re not alone. There are millions of other parents out there who are dealing with the same thing. You can get through this!
Try not to worry about every little thing that your child does or says.
As a hypochondriac parent, it’s super easy (and tempting!) to want to watch your child like a hawk. But you really shouldn’t worry about every little thing that your child does or says. Kids are kids, and they’re going to say (and do) crazy things sometimes! As the parent, it’s your job to make sure your kids stay safe…within a limit. It’s very important for kids to have experiences and to learn from their mistakes. It’s also important for them to take responsibility for their own actions. While your hypochondriac worries come from a place of love and wanting to keep your child safe, doing so excessively can often be bad for children. In order to let these worries go, you need to remember that you can’t control everything that happens in your child’s life…this goes for what your child says and does, too.
If you are concerned about your child’s health, talk to your doctor about your concerns.
Even though you may be concerned about your child’s health and well-being, your own doctor could be instrumental in helping you survive your newfound plight as a hypochondriac parent. Your doctor may be able to help you by helping to explain your new role as a hypochondriac parent, recommending a talk therapist, or prescribing medication. Either way, it’s important to establish a care team for both yourself and your child so that you can focus on being a great parent to your child.
Don’t hesitate to bring your child to the doctor if you are truly worried about their health.
Look, the doctor is there for a reason – to keep you and your family healthy. While you may want to take your kiddo to the doctor for every little sniffle or cough, you don’t want to overdo it. There is a fine balance between being proactive and being paranoid, and as a hypochondriac parent, you will straddle it quite frequently. As far as the rule of thumb for bringing your child to the doctor: if something does feel off to you, it is always better to err on the side of caution and receive a professional opinion.
As a hypochondriac parent, though, you have an onus to talk to your child and tell them why you are taking them to the doctor. Children can pick up on fear and anxiety quite clearly, especially from their parents. You will want to avoid passing your fear and anxiety onto them, and instead focus on the fact that you are the parent and it is your job to keep them safe.
Try to stay calm when your child is sick or injured.
Okay, okay, we know – seeing your child sick or injured is absolutely awful. It’s completely natural, as a parent, to worry about your kid’s health and safety. But if you’re a hypochondriac, we all know that the worry can quickly become all-consuming. It’s important to stay calm when this happens so that you can make the best decisions and take care of your child to the best of your ability. Here are some ways you can do this:
Don’t overreact. It’s important to stay calm and not let your anxiety get the best of you. If you’re feeling panicked, take some deep breaths and try to relax. You are doing everything in your control to keep your child safe.
Trust your child’s doctor. If you’re constantly second-guessing your child’s doctor, it will only add to your anxiety. Try to trust that they know what they’re doing and are looking out for your child’s best interests.
Avoid Googling. It’s tempting to want to research everything online, but this can often make things worse. Remember that not everything you read on the internet is accurate. It’s best to leave the diagnosing to the professionals!
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re finding it difficult to cope, don’t be afraid to reach out to family and friends for support. Sometimes just talking to someone who understands can be a huge help.
Don’t overreact to every little thing that happens to your child.
If you’re a parent, it’s important to remember that children are resilient. They can often bounce back from minor illnesses and injuries. So, try not to overreact to every little thing that happens to your child. If you’re concerned about your child’s health, talk to your child’s doctor. He or she can help you determine whether your fears are rational or not…and believe them!
Try to get your child to eat healthy and exercise regularly.
There’s not a lot we have control over in this life. However, getting your child to eat healthy and exercise regularly is one of those things that you can control. A healthy diet focused on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins will help your children avoid health problems. Exercising is crucial to help your child’s muscles develop. Exercise is also crucial to help them avoid future problems such as immobility, heart disease, and obesity. As the parent, you can make eating healthy and exercising fun by doing these things with them! Take your kids on a walk around the block or to the park for some play time. Or, make some healthy foods from scratch for them and eat them together as a family. This will help them establish healthy habits, but it will also reinforce that you are all in this together!
Teach your child about good hygiene habits.
Germs are gross. Luckily, many of them can be avoided with proper hygiene habits! Teaching your child the importance of washing their hands, brushing their teeth, and not touching sensitive areas on their face (such as their eyes, ears, nose, and mouth) will go a long way. You can advance these hygiene habits and teach them about more complex hygiene habits as they get older, but you will be able to model healthy behaviors for them in the meantime. These healthy behaviors will help keep your child strong and healthy!
Help your child to relax and cope with stress in healthy ways.
Mental health is just as important as physical health; it can be difficult to watch your child suffer from anxiety or stress. However, there are ways you can help them to relax and cope in healthy ways. First of all, you can and should encourage your children to take breaks throughout the day. These breaks could be as simple as going on a short walk to taking a shower to taking a nap. These breaks will help your children from becoming overwhelmed with stress. Second of all, you should help your children find healthy coping mechanisms such as journaling, deep breathing, or exercise. Finally, teach your children that stress is a normal part of life and that you will be there to help guide them when they need it.
Seek professional help if your hypochondriac parent anxiety is really affecting your life.
If your hypochondriac parent anxiety is really affecting your life and causing you a lot of distress, it is important to seek professional help. A therapist can help you learn ways to manage your anxiety and cope with your fears about keeping your children safe and healthy. If your hypochondriac parent anxiety is severe, a therapist may recommend that you attend a regular support group and/or take medication to help. Even though you may think you’re fine, it’s always a good idea to seek out help from a professional so that they can make that assessment for themselves and give you the proper assessment.
Remember that your child is likely to be just fine, even if you are a hypochondriac parent.
We’re going to say it here – it’s likely that your child is going to be just fine. You are doing the best you can to keep your child healthy and safe, and that will go a long way. At the end of the day, try to take a deep breath and pull up this article if you’re struggling. These tips are meant to keep you calm, cool, and collected – even in the moments where you’re struggling the most as a hypochondriac parent.
Disclaimer: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE.
If you are currently experiencing medical concerns, it’s important to talk to a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions. HypochondriacHQ does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen on this website.
