Evidence Based Practices for Health Anxiety and Somatic Symptom Disorders

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Video by Dr. Dawn Elise Snipes on integrative behavioral health approaches including counseling techniques and skills for improving mental health and reducing mental illness.

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[DocSnipes]

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[BecomeConsciousNow]

I love what you said in the beginning about doctors telling patients that their symptoms are all in their head. I had that experience with my doctor and I kept telling him 6 times that the symptoms I had was real and not in my head and that science just hadn't caught up yet to know what is wrong with me. The problem still hasn't been resolved because I've just lost all faith in doctors because they don't know what they are doing. As you said, when the patient isn't believed it ruins the relationship and trust you have with them. I'm really impressed that you picked up on this Doc!!

[Revive_AL]

One of my struggles since childhood, especially the cog processing. You inspire me to keep learning and researching mental/behavioral health and help people. Your dedication is appreciated 🙌🏼🖤✨

[ScoobyWu]

Thank you for talking about this as an illness. Thank you for not using hypochondria. It gets made fun of but it’s not fun to live with.

[angel.heart]

I wish there were more studies done. I’d gladly help! Every symptom I have, head pain, arm numbing, leg pain, abdomen, palpitations My brain hyper fixates on it and it snowballs. Ona good note I have found some real health issues and I can deal with it. But now I feel like every symptom will lead to something serious. I just feel like it’s being missed. It’s a horrible and vicious cycle.

[gailc.]

Thank you! This was helpful as I was feeling stuck with a client who has chronic illness and loved ones with somatic symptoms related to trauma. I appreciate you sharing your personal experience to help educate us on this issue.

[scds]

Thank you for this video. I have somatic symptom disorder/illness anxiety and yes, the symptoms are very real. I had numerous tests (ct, ultrasound, endoscopy/colonoscopy, blood tests etc.) and other than H Pylori-based gastritis, they haven't found anything plus they think it may be IBS as well. Due to lack of funds, I cannot afford other than a very general type of group therapy that does not specifically address my problems. I am on a waiting list to see a mental health social worker one-on-one . My symptoms have gotten a lot worse since a friend of mine was diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer and he describes all the nitty gritty details of it on Facebook.

[lj]

I've had somatization disorder now for 12 years being diagnosed only 6 years ago. After hundreds of doctors appointments and multiple tests like m.r.i.s, ct scans, ultrasounds over that 12 year span, nothing has been found from these symptoms that I go through. I've tried meds, cognitive behavior therapy, acupuncture and almost everything in the book these past 6 years yet I still suffer from this debilitating disease. I applied for social security disability and got it right away as have just been crippled by this disease. Scary thing is that you don't know what's real and what's not. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer last year even though I felt no symptoms for that one particular thing. It was found as I had an m.r.i. for swelling under my jaw. My shrink said to stay away from doctors while my doctor said if i'm dealing with real symptoms, i must follow up with a doctor. I feel real painful and destressing symptoms....what do I do? Any advice would be appreciated?

[janflower]

.... Oops posted my comments before I was done I meant to say I think you're doing a superb job and lightning people and educating people as to how and where the progress we have has come from and where it needs to go from here. It is TRULY as if my exact thoughts over the last 48 hours floated around and found their way to your YouTube channel. Thank you for your work and thank you for listening I hope to comment again soon perhaps you and your viewers can help me or guide me through a particular situation I'm working on. History everyone having a good day and a happy mother's Day to all the mothers and I do mean all, maybe your grandmother caring for a grandchild maybe you're a grandfather caring for a grandchild or a single father or a parents to a fur baby, whatever kind of caregiver you are happy mother's Day tomorrow. 😻

[cesarabreu]

You are awesome! Thank you for your wisdom!

[judithwallace]

Wonderful!

It's a bit off topic but I am working with anxiety associated with grief. Grief Yoga (Paul Denniston) was recommended. Tried some loss impact exercises. It seems very good.

[janflower]

Super great stuff Doc, right from the start especially on thru the fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome and other diseases that can be quite severe and life-threatening, and on through the subsequent causes of re-traumatizing and creating more events just going through the motions of trying to attain proper diagnosis and health,

[carmensavu]

I developed health anxiety after my dad was diagnosed with myeloma earlier this year. I have to say, I felt my skin run cold when I heard about back pain and kidney cancer. I've also been having back pain. But I shook it off quickly when you mentioned good test results (I've had bloodwork and my kidneys are fine and my doctor mentioned nothing about iffy blood counts or anything). And the probability strategy works. What's the more likely cause of my intermittent back pain? Kidney cancer at 33 with no family history, or my terrible sitting and sleeping posture that my flat mates have been commenting on for months?

[kiainfpe]

Thank you. This has been very helpful. I'm always looking for different ways to help people look at a person's mental health struggles from the point of view of the person struggling. 2 ppl can experience temperature differently based on their physiology etc. Does that mean their experience isn't reality? ...it is for them. How invalidating (patronising??) would I be if I told them their experience of the temperature was wrong. Not only would it break the bond, it would limit my effectiveness from that point on.

[rocks]

The dismissal from doctors is the worst part, and I don’t think I’ve yet met a doctor who doesn’t do that.
I’ve been having a lot of issues recently, and they’ve gotten worse and worse. On the more mild side I’ve had severe dizziness, bad side cramps breathing problems, headaches, neck and back pain, plugged ears, post-nasal drip and coughing, etc. But more severely, I’ve coughed up blood, had my tongue physically swell up, bad acid reflux, fainted briefly, had really poor circulation (white nails and randomly hit face and worse dizziness) and quickly worsening vision even though a couple months ago I had 20/20 vision, bouts of depression and brain fog.
I’ve been from clinic to clinic to clinic because my family doctor had just told me to go on walks to “help with anxiety”, but I get the same thing, doctors checking my blood tests, taking x-rays, clearing me by saying that it could just be depression or “hypochondriasis”.
It’s a hard battle, I’ve also just started on ADHD medications so sometimes my doctor says that maybe I should just stop it and I’ll feel better. I have, and my severe ADHD makes my issues worse bc I can’t deal with them rationally. My dad also has just won the battle with cancer, and my mom just recently had a seizure for no apparent reason. I also have type 1 diabetes and all the issues come with that.
It’s stressful when there are so many things it can be, and it feels like you have to take it into your own hands when no one around you believes you or takes you seriously. I’m only 19 so mental health is where doctors usually jump to because I’m so young, but I’m having very real problems. I’ve even been hoping for a seizure or something just to have people really listen to me. Taking the time to really take people seriously is incredibly important.

[melissastjgreen]

Just the mention of kidney cancer has me worried I have it now. Will be using these techniques and going to the doctor as soon as my health insurance begins 😩

[Afbrecndwit]

This is excellent content. Thank you!

[freeeagle]

Mam ...Can anxiety cause muscle fatigue and lightheadedness dizziness fainting feeling?

[tomlehmann]

The physical symptoms are the absolute worst. I’ve been having horrible stomach issues now and all I’m worried about is my stomach and esophagus

[anjaananjaan]

Somatic symptom is body's reaction to deal with danger/fear.