Health anxiety is easy to misread, because it does not feel like worry. It feels like evidence. A twinge in the chest, a weak-feeling leg or a racing heart seems like proof that something is seriously wrong, and the fear that follows can be intense. A recent BBC Health feature followed a young woman who described repeated hospital visits, convinced she was dying, while tests found nothing.
This post pulls together the signs described in that piece and the practical tips offered by the clinical psychologist interviewed for it. It is a summary of a news feature, not a clinical guide.
What health anxiety is
The clinical psychologist quoted in the BBC piece, Dr Kirren Schnack, describes health anxiety as a constant worry about being seriously ill, or becoming seriously ill, when you are not. The woman in the story said she was later diagnosed with health anxiety and health-related obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Only a qualified clinician can tell you whether that applies to you.
Signs described in the article
- Checking. Frequently examining your body, taking your temperature or blood pressure, or researching symptoms online.
- Reassurance-seeking. Repeatedly asking the internet, friends or family whether you are safe and healthy.
- Avoidance. Not looking at your body or skipping appointments because you fear the worst.
- Acting ill. Slowing your movements and stopping exercise, as if you already have a serious condition.
The woman in the feature described a cycle many people will recognize. She would search a symptom, read a frightening explanation, go back to hospital, be told everything was fine, then notice a new sensation and start again. At her worst she withdrew from family and stopped replying to messages.
What the psychologist suggests
The tips below are from Dr Schnack as reported by the BBC. They are general coping ideas, not treatment.
- Challenge worst-case thinking. Give your brain other explanations for a sensation. A stiff back might be poor posture, not a serious illness.
- Limit reassurance-seeking. Set rules and time limits for how often you ask others about symptoms, and stick to them.
- Burn off anxious energy. Short bursts of movement, such as jumping jacks, may help you work through the adrenaline of an anxious moment.
- Ground yourself. Use a strong sensory experience, such as holding an ice cube or tasting something sour or spicy.
- Slow your breathing. Take a long breath in through the nose, add a second small inhale at the top, then release with a long sigh through the mouth.
The woman in the story also kept a simple log. She wrote down a frightening symptom, then at the end of the day wrote that she was fine. The next time the symptom came, she had her own record to read.
When to get checked
Anxiety does not make real symptoms impossible. Dr Schnack says that for a symptom that is new, concerning or does not go away, checking official health guidance is responsible health behavior, and that a symptom that has not gone away within two weeks warrants a GP appointment. In the UK, the NHS site lists when to call 111, 999 or go to A&E. If you are elsewhere, use your local equivalent, and seek urgent care for severe chest pain, trouble breathing or other emergency symptoms.
Limits of this post
This is a summary of one news feature built around one person’s experience and one clinical psychologist’s advice. It does not tell us how common these patterns are, or how well each tip works for most people. If worry about your health is taking over your days, a doctor or mental health professional can offer evaluation and treatment that a blog post cannot.
Source: BBC News, “I thought I was dying but it was health anxiety – here’s how to recognise the signs”, 23 October 2026.
Kurt Greiner
Kurt is a digital strategist and IT professional blending emerging technology with practical application, exploring how individuals can leverage modern tools to navigate the second half of life with purpose.
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