How preventive scanning can lead to anxiety disorders

In my practice, I see an increasing number of patients who fear being seriously ill or the fear of dying. We are talking about two anxiety disorders here: hypochondria and thanatophobia. Why are we seeing these complaints increasingly often?

In the past, we went to the doctor because we were sick; nowadays, we visit a doctor because we want to know if we are healthy. Medical science is increasingly focused on preventing diseases. If there was cancer in the family, you can be screened regularly to see if there is a risk that you will also develop it. Is there something in your DNA? Good, then you can come for a check-up every year to see if you are getting sick. So, we no longer go to the doctor only when we are sick. We want to rule out every risk. But what does this constant focus on our mortality do to our brain?

Internet and media

The psychology behind illness anxiety disorder is fueled more strongly than ever today, and the sources are closer than you think. Nowadays, you use CHAT GPT to find out if your complaint might be something and how you can treat it.  More and more people are using Google in their search for a diagnosis. Although we all know that this source of information is unreliable, and this is also pointed out, a media flow is set in motion in which social media algorithms perfectly cater to your queries. The result is that you see more and more advertisements about the very things that alarm you, and this reinforces your fear.

Additionally, in Western Europe, you see an increasing stream of public awareness campaigns. Don't get me wrong: public awareness is important. For example, to encourage vaccinations for children or to prevent epidemics. But is it necessary, on a beautiful sunny day on TV, to immediately talk about preventing skin cancer, to promote sunscreen, and to point out the risk factors for skin cancer? Doesn't this actually fuel susceptibility to hypochondria, and do these commercials act as a psychological trigger? Furthermore, in Western Europe, you see an increasing trend of preventive commercials, for example from Foundations for Cancer Patients, Alzheimer's, Asthma... and many more.

What does that do to the human brain?  Instead of prevention, they sow hyper vigilance. Every ache is suddenly judged against the symptoms that just flashed through the living room in HD quality. The media present us with a world in which danger is constantly lurking, causing our autonomic nervous system to be constantly in 'fight-or-flight' mode. And stress arises: one of the ultimate disease promoters.

Let’s talk about Egypt, where one of our clinics is located

It is truly fascinating to see how culture determines how we deal with illness and fear. While we in Western Europe are highly individualized and focused on control and forward planning of existence, you see a very different dynamic in Egypt. The approach to life—and its finitude—is more often embedded there in a larger collective, faith, and a certain degree of acceptance (the well-known *Inshallah*). There is less institutional medicalization in daily life, and social cohesion is strong. Where a European with a minor ache immediately dives into Google or a medical scan, people in Egypt more often seek support from the community and family. The focus is much less on micro-managing health; after all, we have other things on our minds. The future lies further away, and we are busy with the present. He who lives today, takes care of today.

What can we learn from this? Living healthily means daring to trust your body and accepting that life entails risks. This is what I try to teach my patients.  Life is not always predictable and controllable. The amount of stress caused by hypochondria, however, is. Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, you regain control over your thoughts and actions. In addition to practical advice for a healthier life, I also point out the unrest caused by what we see on social media. Especially in the case of ....., that continuous stream of natural disasters, accidents, and war is the fuel for this deep, intrinsic fear regarding your survival.

For both hypochondria and thanatophobia, stress prevention is the best way to find peace and see the world in perspective again: to focus on YOUR existence. If you recognize yourself in these symptoms, please feel free to contact us. Our team is ready to help you.