Health · Mental Health · 3 hrs ago
Hollie Sharman shares how health anxiety affected her life
Hollie Sharman was repeatedly afraid she was dying, despite hospital tests finding nothing wrong.
The 25-year-old says her health anxiety worsened after a panic attack at her 22nd birthday meal, and she spent hours searching symptoms online.
Signs can include checking your body, seeking reassurance or avoiding medical appointments, says clinical psychologist Dr Kirren Schnack.
Sharman says the anxiety affected her relationships and led her to withdraw from family and friends.
She was diagnosed with health anxiety and health-related OCD, and says support from loved ones and techniques to manage anxiety have helped.
She now writes down symptoms and later notes when she has been fine, so she can look back during future episodes.
For a new, concerning or persistent symptom, Schnack says to check the NHS website.
Hollie Sharman says health anxiety once left her convinced she was dying and repeatedly seeking hospital care.
She says she went to hospital four to five times a week with severe chest pain, but tests found nothing wrong.
A panic attack at a restaurant on her 22nd birthday meal marked the start of years of health anxiety.
Sharman was eventually diagnosed with health anxiety and health-related obsessive compulsive disorder.
She says supportive family and her partner, along with techniques to manage anxiety, have helped her reach a better place.
- Who
- Hollie Sharman, a 25-year-old woman, describes her experience. Clinical psychologist Dr Kirren Schnack explains signs of health anxiety.
- What
- Sharman says health anxiety led her to fear she was dying, repeatedly search symptoms and seek hospital care. She was diagnosed with health anxiety and health-related obsessive compulsive disorder.
- When
- Sharman says her 22nd birthday meal triggered years of health anxiety. The article was published on 22 October 2026.
- Where
- Sharman went to hospital and spent time in A&E; the article does not state where.
- Why
- Sharman says she worried she was seriously ill despite tests finding nothing wrong.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Sharman says she had always worried about her health and made excuses to leave school and go to bed.
A severe panic attack in a restaurant toilet during her birthday meal triggered years of health anxiety.
Sharman was diagnosed with health anxiety and health-related obsessive compulsive disorder.
Sharman said her health anxiety no longer controlled her life.
- Age
- 25
- Hospital visits
- Four to five times a week
- Longest A&E stay
- 13 hours
- Birthday meal
- Her 22nd birthday
- Diagnosis
- Health anxiety and health-related obsessive compulsive disorder
What people are saying
I was constantly Googling and using ChatGPT, every source I could get that could tell me what was wrong,
doesn't control her life any more
You need to push yourself and do things when you're anxious, don't put your life on hold because I did for so many years.
a constant worry about being seriously ill or becoming seriously ill when you are not