Body Checking & Health Anxiety | Why Checking Makes Anxiety Worse | Overcoming Health Anxiety

Why does checking your body for symptoms seem to create more anxiety instead of less? Overcoming Health Anxiety In this video, we break down one of the most common health anxiety behaviors: body checking and self-exam rituals — and why repeatedly searching for reassurance can actually increase fear, sensitivity, and doubt over time. If you’ve ever: • Checked the same bump, mole, lymph node, or sensation repeatedly • Wondered, “Was that always there?” • Felt temporary relief after checking… only to doubt yourself again • Found yourself constantly monitoring your body for signs of illness • Spiraled into anxiety after self-exams or symptom checking …this video will help you understand what’s really happening in the health anxiety cycle. You’ll learn: → Why the body naturally has lumps, asymmetries, and variations → How body checking increases sensory sensitivity and awareness → Why pressing, poking, and repeated self-exams can create real sensations → The “attention amplification effect” in health anxiety → How reassurance and checking behaviors reinforce OCD and anxiety loops → Overcoming Health Anxiety This video explains why body checking may feel protective in the moment — but often keeps anxiety going long-term. Recovery begins when you stop treating every sensation like an emergency and start learning how to tolerate uncertainty differently. ABOUT US Overcoming Health Anxiety (OHA) was founded by Dr. Josh Spitalnick and Michael Stier, LCPC, LPC to provide evidence-based education, support, and resources for individuals struggling with health anxiety, OCD, panic, and fear-related disorders. Using approaches grounded in CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention), and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), our mission is to help people stop living in constant fear of illness and start learning how to “Live with fear, not in fear.”™ Through this channel, the OHA Resource Center, and the OHA Community, we provide practical tools, expert guidance, and a supportive community for people navigating health anxiety recovery. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly videos on: • Health anxiety recovery • OCD & intrusive thoughts • CBT & ERP strategies • Anxiety education • Real recovery tools and support 📌 Subscribe & Stay Updated: →    / @overcominghealthanxiety   Let’s continue learning how to “Live with fear, not in fear.”™ 🔗 Connect with us: • Website:→ https://www.overcominghealthanxiety.com/ • Facebook Community:→   / 1cpp6mm4bh   • Instagram:→ https://www.instagram.com/overcomingh... • TikTok: →   / overcominghealthanxiety   #healthanxiety #bodychecking #ocd #anxietyrecovery #intrusivethoughts #erptherapy #mentalhealth #healthanxietyhelp #reassuranceseeking #panicdisorder #hypochondria #anxietysupport #OvercomingHealthAnxiety