When Anxiety Feels Physical: Understanding Somatic Symptoms and Health Anxiety

If you’ve ever felt dizzy, short of breath, nauseous, or like your heart is racing, but your doctor says nothing is wrong, you’re not imagining things. Anxiety can show up in the body in powerful, confusing ways.

You might constantly scan for symptoms, feel scared that something’s being missed, or avoid activities for fear of triggering physical discomfort. This experience is often called health anxiety, and it’s more common than you think.

The good news? Therapy can help you feel safer in your body and more in control of your mind.

What Are Somatic Symptoms?

Somatic symptoms are physical sensations that arise from emotional or psychological distress. Anxiety activates your nervous system, which can create real physical responses, including:

• Chest tightness or rapid heartbeat

• Gastrointestinal issues or nausea

• Muscle tension or trembling

• Dizziness or “out of body” sensations

• Fatigue or disrupted sleep

• Tingling, headaches, or shortness of breath

These symptoms are real, but they’re often misinterpreted as signs of illness or danger, which can create a cycle of fear and hypervigilance.

Understanding Health Anxiety

Health anxiety (sometimes called hypochondria or illness anxiety) involves excessive worry about having or developing a serious medical condition, even when tests come back clear.

You might find yourself:

• Googling symptoms obsessively

• Reassuring yourself repeatedly—or asking others to

• Avoiding medical settings out of fear

• Fixating on every sensation or body change

• Living with a constant feeling that “something’s wrong”

It’s exhausting. And you don’t have to live in that loop.

How Therapy Can Help Regulate Body and Mind

Darly uses an integrative approach to support mind-body awareness and emotional safety. In therapy, you can:

• Understand how your nervous system responds to stress

• Break the cycle of symptom anxiety and reassurance-seeking

• Learn grounding and emotion regulation tools

• Build tolerance for uncertainty without spiraling

• Reconnect with your body as a place of information, not danger

Your body isn’t betraying you, it’s trying to tell you something. Therapy can help you listen without fear.

Work With Darly Sebastian, LPC, LMHC

Licensed in Texas, Florida, and Vermont, Darly supports clients navigating anxiety, trauma, chronic illness, and somatic distress. Her work is especially helpful for neurodivergent clients, medically complex individuals, and anyone struggling to feel safe in their own skin.

Your Symptoms Are Real. Your Healing Is Possible.

You don’t have to live in fear of your body. Therapy can help you feel grounded, connected, and calm inside and out.

Book a consultation with Darly Sebastian today.