Health Anxiety: When Your Body Feels Unsafe Even When You’ve Been Told You’re Fine
A Practical, Clinical Perspective from Experienced Therapists in Ireland
You may have been reassured more than once that everything is medically fine. Tests are clear. Yet something still does not settle.
A sensation appears. Your attention sharpens. Within seconds, your mind is searching for answers, often landing on the most serious possibilities. You check, you search, you ask. Relief comes briefly, then doubt returns.
This is the lived experience of health anxiety, and it can feel relentless.
In clinical practice across Ireland, this pattern is something we regularly support people with. It is more common than many realise, and importantly, it is very responsive to the right approach.
What Health Anxiety Is
Health anxiety is a persistent concern about physical health, often involving heightened awareness of bodily sensations and difficulty tolerating uncertainty.
It is not a lack of logic.
It is not attention-seeking.
It is a well-established mind–body pattern involving the nervous system, attention, and learned responses.
Why It Feels So Physical
One of the most unsettling aspects is how real the symptoms feel.
When the brain detects potential threat, it activates the body’s stress response. This can lead to:
- Tightness in the chest
- Changes in breathing
- Digestive discomfort or bloating
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Tingling or muscle tension
These sensations are genuine. They are produced by the nervous system. The difficulty arises when they are interpreted as signs of illness rather than signs of activation.
The Brain’s Role: A System Trying to Protect You
Your brain is designed to keep you safe. It constantly scans for potential threats.
In health anxiety:
- Neutral sensations are flagged as important
- Uncertainty feels uncomfortable
- The mind moves quickly towards worst-case interpretations
This is not a malfunction. It is a protective system working too hard.
How the Cycle Becomes Self-Sustaining
Health anxiety often follows a repeating loop:
- A sensation is noticed
- A worrying thought appears
- Anxiety increases
- Physical sensations intensify
- Reassurance or checking is used
- Relief occurs briefly
- Doubt returns
Over time, this loop becomes automatic and highly convincing.
Why Reassurance Does Not Last
Many people try to manage this through:
- GP visits
- Asking others for reassurance
- Online symptom searches
While reassurance can reduce anxiety in the moment, it reinforces the belief that certainty must be achieved before you can feel safe.
The challenge is that complete certainty is rarely possible, particularly with health.
Contributing Factors Often Overlooked
Health anxiety is usually influenced by a combination of factors rather than one single cause.
Stress and Nervous System Load
Long periods of stress can increase sensitivity to both thoughts and physical sensations. Sleep disturbance and fatigue often play a role.
Digestive Health and the Gut–Brain Axis
The gut–brain axis refers to the communication between your digestive system and your brain.
When this system is disrupted, it can:
- Increase anxiety
- Heighten awareness of bodily sensations
- Create symptoms such as bloating, reflux, or discomfort
Hormonal Influences
Hormonal fluctuations can affect mood and anxiety levels. This is commonly seen with thyroid changes, PMS, or perimenopause.
Past Experiences
Previous illness, medical procedures, or loss can shape how the brain interprets physical sensations.
Learned Behavioural Patterns
Repeated checking, scanning, or researching trains the brain to remain alert. These behaviours begin as attempts to feel safe but can maintain the cycle over time.
What Helps in Practice
Effective support involves working with both the mind and the body.
1. Understanding the Pattern
When you understand what is happening, the experience becomes less frightening. You begin to recognise that a sensation is not the same as a diagnosis.
2. Changing Your Response to Sensations
Instead of reacting immediately, it can help to:
- Notice sensations without analysing them
- Allow them to pass without checking
- Build tolerance for uncertainty gradually
3. Reducing Checking Behaviour
This can be done gently:
- Delay checking by a few minutes
- Reduce frequency over time
- Notice the urge without acting immediately
4. Supporting the Body
Stabilising the body reduces overall sensitivity.
This may include:
- Regular meals to support blood sugar balance
- Supporting digestive health
- Managing caffeine intake
- Ensuring adequate rest
5. Working at a Deeper Level
Health anxiety often involves patterns below conscious awareness.
Structured therapeutic work can help to:
- Identify underlying drivers
- Reduce the intensity of the response
- Change how the brain interprets sensations
Approaches such as counselling, psychotherapy, and clinical hypnotherapy can be particularly effective when integrated appropriately.
Working with Experienced Practitioners in Ireland
If you are considering support, working with experienced clinicians who understand both the psychological and physiological aspects can make a meaningful difference.
You may wish to contact:
Shane Murphy
Psychotherapist
📞 086 894 7322
Claire Russell
Registered Nutritionist, Clinical Medical Hypnotherapist, Psychotherapist, Advanced RTT Practitioner
📞 087 616 6638
Appointments are available online and in person across multiple locations in Ireland.
The Bigger Picture
Health anxiety can feel overwhelming because it affects both how you think and how your body feels.
The aim is not to eliminate every anxious thought.
It is to:
- Reduce the intensity of the cycle
- Change how you respond to sensations
- Rebuild trust in your body
This takes time, but it is absolutely achievable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is health anxiety common?
Yes. It is more common than many realise and often goes unspoken.
Can anxiety really cause physical symptoms?
Yes. The nervous system can produce a wide range of genuine physical sensations.
Why does checking make it worse?
Checking provides short-term relief but reinforces the cycle long-term.
Can this improve without therapy?
Some people notice improvement with self-help strategies, but many benefit from structured support.
Does diet affect anxiety?
Yes. Blood sugar balance and digestive health can influence how the nervous system responds.
How long does it take to improve?
This varies, but understanding the pattern is often the first meaningful step.
About the author
Claire Russell is a Registered Nutritionist, Clinical Medical Hypnotherapist, Psychotherapist and Advanced RTT Practitioner with over 20 years of clinical experience.
Her work brings together:
- Nutritional science, as a Clinical Registered Nutritionist incorporating Functional Medicine, and including gut-brain health and metabolic balance
- Psychotherapy and counselling approaches
- Clinical hypnotherapy, Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy, RTT, Advanced RTT and subconscious pattern work
- Evidence-informed behavioural and neuroscience-based methods and experience
She works with adults, teenagers and children online across Ireland and internationally in the UAE, Europe, Australia, UK, and in person in Adare, Newcastle West, Limerick, Abbeyfeale, Charleville, Kanturk, Midleton, Youghal, Lismore Cork, Dungarvan and Dublin.
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Educational Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. If you have concerns about your health, please consult your GP or appropriate healthcare professional.
