30 March 2015

Do you or someone you know experience troublesome worries about your health? Anxiety affects approximately 1 in 20 people in the UK, and it is estimated that between 30% and 80% of patients who consult physicians present with symptoms for which there is no physical basis. To help raise local awareness of health anxiety, as well as provide strategies and tips to cope more effectively, NHS Borders is running a free information session in Hawick on 7 April 2015 to provide people with information on overcoming health anxiety.

This hour long session will be run by Jaime Black and Sinead Murray, both Clinical Associates in Applied Psychology within NHS Borders Mental Health Service.

Jaime Black said: “We all worry about our health from time to time. Sometimes this can lead us to improve our lifestyle, for example giving up smoking, or eating more healthily. Health anxiety can become a problem when it gets in the way of our everyday lives, even though there can be no reason to think anything is seriously wrong.

The good news is that small changes to our behaviours and challenging our thinking patterns can result in a reduction of health worries.”

This hour long session is not group therapy, and you will not be asked to talk about yourself or your personal circumstances. If you feel that you need one-to-one support then you will be encouraged to contact your GP for more appropriate support to be arranged. Support group contacts, self-help leaflets and DVDs will also be available at the classes.

The session will take place in Hawick Library on Tuesday 7April 2015, from 5.30 – 6.30pm. The class is free to everyone, however booking is essential.  Please contact the library on 01450 364640 to reserve your place.

 

Why not visit the NHS Borders Stressbusters pages for more information on

  • Stress Classes & Community Education Sessions

  • Website & Social Media

  • Self help materials & advice