If you’re a hypochondriac, the chances are very high that you have had hypochondriac COVID thoughts at some point. Whether these thoughts were the result of having a cough, a sore throat, a headache, or other unexplained symptoms – hypochondriac COVID thoughts are very common. Being afraid of catching COVID or having COVID has been a very common fear since March 2020.
Yet, you’ve seen doctor after doctor, taken COVID test after COVID test, and you still get the same exact result. You are negative for COVID! So then, why do these hypochondriac COVID thoughts keep popping up? Well, that’s the beast of hypochondria. Your brain keeps trying to convince you that you have something, even when you don’t. But never fear, there are some ways to overcome these annoying thoughts that keep taking up your valuable brain space.
Here are our seven favorite ways to overcome hypochondriac COVID thoughts:
Journal About Your Hypochondriac COVID Thoughts.
Journaling can be a helpful way to manage your anxiety and regain control over your hypochondriac COVID thoughts. When you feel a hypochondriac episode coming on, write out the thoughts and fears that are going through your head. Once you see them all written down in front of you, it can be easier to rationalize them. Also, you will be able to see that they’re not as scary as they seemed in your head. Journaling can also help you to track your symptoms and figure out if there is any pattern to your anxiety. If you find that you’re only worrying about your health when you’re stressed out about something else in your life, you can start to address the root cause of your anxiety. This is why journaling can be such a helpful way to ease your anxiety and take back control of your thoughts.
Learn Stress Management Techniques.
If you’re like many people with hypochondria, your health anxiety likely started with a single health scare. Maybe you read about a disease online or saw a news segment about an illness that struck someone your age. Whatever the case, that health scare set off a chain reaction of catastrophic thinking that has since taken on a life of its own. It is not uncommon for people with hypochondria to start fixating on a specific body part or symptom. In this case: your hypochondriac COVID thoughts. Once you start down that road, it’s easy to think you have COVID and that you’re going to die from it. And even if you’re able to push those thoughts out of your mind for a while, they always seem to come back when you’re feeling stressed or anxious. There are things you can do to manage the stress and anxiety that fuel your hypochondria. Learning some simple stress management techniques can help you to control your thoughts and start to feel better. One of the best things you can do is to start practicing relaxation techniques. Deep breathing, meditation, and yoga are all great ways to help you calm down and focus on the present moment. If you can learn to control your stress and anxiety, you’ll be less likely to fixate on your health and those pesky hypochondriac brain tumor thoughts! addition to relaxation, another great stress management technique is to get regular exercise. Exercise releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting properties. Not only will exercise help you to feel better mentally, but it can also help to improve your physical health. Talk about a win-win situation!
Avoid Alcohol and Drugs.
If you’re someone who tends to worry about their health, it’s important to avoid substances like alcohol and drugs. These can make your anxiety worse and lead to your hypochondriac COVID thoughts worsening. Alcohol is also known to be a factor that negatively affects health. Instead, try to focus on healthy activities and relaxation techniques. Exercise, meditation, and spending time in nature can all help to reduce stress and improve your overall well-being. These are much better coping mechanisms than alcohol and drugs overall, but especially for somebody suffering from health anxiety.
Consider The Evidence of Your Hypochondriac COVID Thoughts.
If you’ve been stressing about your hypochondriac COVID thoughts, you really need to consider the evidence. It’s always a good idea to get first and second opinions for medical conditions. This is especially true if you have been having reoccurring symptoms. However, have you already received first, second, (and maybe even third!) opinions from doctors stating that you do not have COVID? Well, then you really need to consider the evidence. This could be as simple as reviewing the information from the various tests you have had in the past. Or, you could consider the fact that doctors have to go through years and years of extensive medical training. Sure, mistakes can happen – but that likelihood diminishes with the more doctors who say the same thing. When you are starting to spiral with your hypochondriac COVID thoughts, consider all of these evidential points as a way to keep yourself calm and from spiraling further.
Don’t Google.
If you’re worried about having COVID, the last thing you should do is Google your symptoms. Why? Because chances are, whatever you’re experiencing is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. But if you allow yourself to get caught up in the world of WebMD and other online health resources, you’re likely to convince yourself that you are on the verge of dying from COVID! This is because resources such as WebMD are meant to be expansive in their listing of symptoms. So while some symptoms may not be common indicators of poor heart health, WebMD still lists them because they have a duty to provide the most accurate medical information possible. This isn’t great for hypochondriacs, though – especially ones who have already received a confirmation that they do not have COVID. You will always be able to convince yourself that some symptom is indicative of having a bad case of COVID. So, our advice is to just stay away. Don’t do it.
Put Your Hypochondriac COVID Thoughts Into Perspective.
While it’s normal to have some health anxiety from time to time, for some people, these thoughts can become persistent and overwhelming. If you’re struggling with hypochondriac COVID thoughts, there are some things you can do to put your thoughts into perspective and regain control. First, it’s important to understand that your thoughts are just that – thoughts. They are not reality. Just because you think something doesn’t mean it’s true. It’s important to remember that your thoughts are not facts. Second, try to take a step back and look at the big picture. When you’re focused on your health, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that you’re generally healthy and have been for your whole life. Reminding yourself of this can help you put your current symptoms into perspective. Third, try to focus on the here and now. Hypochondria can make it easy to get caught up in worst case scenarios and to dwell on what could happen in the future. Instead, try to focus on what’s happening in the present moment. This can help you stay in the moment and keep your thoughts from spiraling.If you’re struggling with hypochondria, remember that you’re not alone. Many people struggle with similar thoughts. But with some effort, you can put your hypochondriac COVID thoughts into perspective and regain control.
Seek Professional Help For Your Hypochondriac COVID Thoughts.
If you’ve tried all of the above suggestions but are still struggling with hypochondriac COVID thoughts, we highly recommend seeking professional help. There are therapists and counselors out there who specialize in working with people with hypochondria. Many of these hypochondriac specialists use a technique known as cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of therapy will work with you to help you disassociate from your thoughts and to be able to recognize and break up the negative thought patterns that happen when you are in a hypochondria feedback loop. One of the easiest ways to seek out a hypochondriac therapist is to ask your primary care physician for a recommendation. They may know of a therapist, or therapists, who specialize in hypochondria. If your primary care therapist does not have any recommendations, we would suggest seeking out an online directory to find a therapist who specializes in hypochondria and is located close to your location.
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.
