S7 E2 | How To Survive Health Anxiety

Today: a whole episode dedicated to health anxiety. Health anxiety is a TMS equivalent. It’s a very common symptom imperative. And it can be a really hard one. Today, we take it on.

In this Episode:

🔹 Just like chronic back pain doesn’t signify a problem with your back, chronic health anxiety doesn’t mean you’re ill.

🔹 Health anxiety is a TMS symptom equivalent. It’s a danger signal, and it’s a desperate attempt to keep you safe.

🔹 Our first reaction to health anxiety is usually to fix, to try to alleviate, to resist, to control, and to attempt to make it go away.

🔹 Our efforts to solve the feeling, however, are usually not helpful.

🔹 Surviving health anxiety is a 2-part process: Part 1) do your due diligence to take care of yourself. Go to the doctors. Get the tests. And then… Part 2) we have to draw the line somewhere. We have to turn away from “fixing” the emotion, and we have to surrender. We have to allow the feeling to be.

🔹 Today, I tell two stories about health anxiety in my life: one from the past, and one from the present.

This is a fun episode, with a good amount of solid, actionable advice. Join us.

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Find Sean:

Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com

Click Here to Ask Sean a Question on the Podcast

Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week

Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain

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Learn About Therapy with Sean: Therapy for Chronic Pain and Symptoms

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Other Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

S1 E2 | What is TMS?

The Cure for Chronic Pain Podcast with Nicole Sachs, LCSW

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…and you’re listening to Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain.

Therapist Sean Hershey, LCSW teaches you how to use psychological and emotional modalities to heal from chronic pain. Common conditions treated: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Hip Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Elbow Pain, Pain from Disc Bulges, Pain from Disc Degeneration, Sciatica, Neuropathy, Chronic Headaches, Migraine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pelvic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Many Eczema and Skin Conditions, Many Arthritic Presentations, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long Covid, Depression, and Anxiety.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. John Sarno and all who’ve built upon his theories including: Nicole Sachs, Christina Sarno Horner, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Dr. Dan Ratner, Alan Gordon, the ATNS, and so many others.

Join us as we discuss: TMS, pain as a danger signal, the pain/threat cycle, healing through psychological work, healing through emotional work, healing through patiently attuning to your true self, trauma, healing as a work in progress, maddening frustration, glimmers of hope, elating successes... But most of all, join us because you don’t have to be alone in your pain. You don’t have to be alone in the hard work of healing. And you don’t have to be alone as this starts to work for you, and you begin to get better.

We’re all walking this path together. We’re right here with you.

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