I have recently become very paranoid about diseases and illnesses. I freak out constantly about the littlest things. I worry about anything that has to do with a doctor. It has really changed my life, and my family thinks I need help. Any suggestions? I'm 20 years old.

Kelly

The first thing I would ask of a client who described a similar change in his or her attitude toward health would be: What's going on in your life right now besides the worry about illness and doctors?

Have there been any changes, any stressors -- anything that might have set off such obsessions? (Some possibilities might be the death or illness of someone close to you.) Is there anything looming in the horizon -- such as college graduation or an impending transition to full-time employment -- that might be scaring you so much that you're avoiding thinking of it by focusing on something else, like illness?

Some people who are obsessed about illness come from families in which only medical conditions or physical injury were met with concern and emotional support -- emotional needs were ignored or scoffed at. Thus, they may have learned to suppress their emotions and automatically focus on illness or physical sensations when emotionally upset.

I don't know whether any of these questions or issues apply to you. But it might be worth your while to talk to a psychologist or other therapist to see what factors might be associated with your fears about and obsession with illness, and take steps to address them.