EMDR for Health Anxiety: Can It Help?

For individuals whose health anxiety stems from a traumatic experience or memory, EMDR can be effective. It helps reprocess these traumatic events, reducing their emotional impact. However, even if your health anxiety isn’t linked to a specific past trauma, EMDR can still be a valuable tool. With the guidance of a trained professional, EMDR can help you develop coping strategies and address the root causes of your anxiety.

As one of several therapy-based treatment options, EMDR offers a structured, evidence-based approach to managing health anxiety and reclaiming peace of mind.

Should You Consider EMDR for Health Anxiety?

EMDR therapy can be used to treat health anxiety, depending on the cause of the disorder and the severity of the symptoms. A mental health practitioner can help diagnose health anxiety and determine if EMDR can be used for treatment.

If your health anxiety is connected to a past traumatic experience, such as a serious illness you’ve endured (e.g., a stroke or heart attack) or the loss of a loved one to illness, EMDR can be an effective treatment option. EMDR focuses on addressing and reprocessing traumatic memories, including those related to health-related events or the emotional impact of witnessing a loved one’s suffering. For instance, if you were unable to fully process the trauma of a loved one’s illness or passing, it may have contributed to your current health anxiety.

Research (about 24 controlled trials) supports EMDR’s effectiveness for treating emotional trauma linked to adverse life experiences. However, before considering EMDR, it’s important to consult a psychologist to discuss your symptoms and receive a proper diagnosis of healthy anxiety. This ensures that the treatment plan is tailored to your specific needs and circumstances.

Can EMDR Treat Health Anxiety Disorder?

EMDR may treat health anxiety disorder, especially if it’s trauma-related. This therapy is often prescribed as a treatment for anxiety disorders by therapists. While it was initially developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), its use has expanded to treating anxiety disorders as well, particularly those linked with past trauma.

While people can develop anxiety disorders without a traumatic event as a trigger, in many cases trauma can be the underlying cause. So, to treat the anxiety disorder, it becomes important to process the traumatic event first, which is where EMDR comes in.

EMDR has shown promising results in treating anxiety disorders, according to a systematic review of its use beyond PTSD. Although no studies have directly focused on EMDR for health anxiety, research suggests its potential effectiveness. For example, a 2020 pilot study used EMDR to treat illness-related anxiety in patients with Multiple Sclerosis. After just 2-3 sessions, participants experienced significant reductions in anxiety about their health.

EMDR follows a structured protocol designed to help individuals process the events, memories, and underlying causes of their anxiety. For health anxiety, this could include fears of illness or death, or past experiences with sickness. Through bilateral stimulation (e.g., eye movements), EMDR gently facilitates the explorations of traumatic memories while reducing their emotional intensity. More importantly, it helps rewire the brain to respond differently to negative thoughts about the past or future, promoting long-term emotional resilience.

How to Go About Receiving EMDR Therapy for Health Anxiety?

First of all, consult with a mental health practitioner, like a psychologist, to discuss your symptoms of health anxiety. They’ll ask you questions and determine whether you have hypochondriasis. Once diagnosed, discuss your treatment options with them, including EMDR. If they believe EMDR is a suitable treatment therapy for your case, they’ll likely recommend it.

Now, you can work with the same psychologist and complete EMDR therapy for health anxiety. Also, you can work with another therapist who specializes in EMDR. This can be done in-person or online. The latter is more affordable, as online therapy platforms have cheaper prices.

Alternatively, you can perform EMDR yourself with our guided tool. It’s the most accessible method for getting EMDR. Open EMDR adheres to the principles of the therapy and follows the protocols defined in the official EMDR manual. All you need is a computer, internet connection, and headphones for bilateral stimulation.

Take the Step!

Health is a gist, but it shouldn’t be a source of constant anxiety. While it’s natural to worry when something feels wrong, persistent fear of the worst-case scenario–even when you’re physically healthy–may indicate illness anxiety disorder. This condition can leave you feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and distressed, impacting not only your well-being but also the lives of those around you.

Don’t underestimate the toll this disorder can take. Seeking help from a therapist is a crucial step toward healing. EMDR therapy , online or not, is a proven treatment option that addresses the root causes of health anxiety, helping you process traumatic memories and fears while rewiring your brain to respond more calmly to health-related concerns. Take the first step toward reclaiming your peace of mind.

FAQs

What is Health Anxiety?

Health anxiety or illness anxiety disorder is a mental health condition characterized by excessive worry and fear about having a serious medical condition, despite having little or no medical evidence to support the concern. Individuals with health anxiety often misinterprets normal bodily sensations or minor symptoms as signs of a severe illness, leading to persistent distress and preoccupation with their health.

What Are the Signs of Health Anxiety?

Signs of health anxiety include:

• Frequently checking the body for symptoms
• Constantly seeking reassurance from others or doctors
• Obsessive internet searches for health information
• Avoiding anything related to illness

What Is the Cause of Health Anxiety?

The cause of health anxiety can vary but often include factors such as a personal or family history of serious illness, a predisposition to excessive worry or catastrophizing, and the tendency to misinterpret normal bodily sensations as signs of severe illness. Additionally, overexposure to health-related information can exacerbate these fears. These factions, combined with high stress levels or significant life changes, can contribute to the development or worsening of health anxiety.