Therapist Role in Physical Health

Have you ever gone to a doctor for symptoms that you know are real, only to be told "it's just anxiety"? You accept the diagnosis because "the doctor knows best". Yet, you leave the doctor's office feeling that something important was overlooked. While I prepared to write this, I researched articles and statistics regarding this topic. Typically, some information comes up. However, when I searched for statistics on how often anxiety is misdiagnosed, I found very little information. Instead, most of what appeared focused on health anxiety, which can give the impression that the concern itself is just another symptom. I imagine that someone looking for answers on their own might feel dismissed or invalidated, as if they are being told once again that it’s “just anxiety,” even when something in their body tells them otherwise. However, this lack of available research doesn’t necessarily mean the concern isn’t real. It may simply reflect how common anxiety truly is; according to the University of California (2023), 1 in 3 adults will have an anxiety disorder. 

That is a HUGE percentage of the general population! But if you scroll through online forums, social media posts, and TikTok videos, you will find a large number of women who were diagnosed with anxiety by their doctor but were later diagnosed with an underlying physical health condition for those symptoms. Prenuvo (n.d.) found that women are "20-30% more likely than white men" to be misdiagnosed. Ferguson (2025) identified 10 diagnoses that are misdiagnosed as anxiety due to similarity in symptoms, 2 of which only affect women. Ferguson (2025) encourages people who believe they were misdiagnosed to seek out a second opinion. 

Now you may be asking, "How is this relevant to therapy?" Great question! As therapists, we typically see our clients once a week. In these sessions, we can see changes in a client more often than the client's physical health providers. When I worked as a case manager, I was taught the importance of watching for signs of Tardive Dyskinesia (TD). This is a side effect of mental health medications that causes involuntary movements in the face (Cleveland Clinic, n.d.). If we knew that a client was prescribed these medications, it was important to encourage the client to contact their doctor if we saw symptoms of TD. While I did crisis work, I would see people come in for mental health concerns who had to be referred to the ER for physical health conditions. This overlap is very common. A study conducted by Carson et. al. (2010) found that 1/3 of therapists did not appropriately assess physical health concerns during intake appointments. Furthermore, they found that "Physical illness occurs among more than 45% of psychiatric outpatients and often goes undiscovered, leading to lower quality of life, decreased functioning, and increased risk of early death. Individuals with severe mental illness die earlier than the general population because of poor health behaviors, medication side effects, inadequate preventive care, and insufficient medical care" (Carson el al., 2010). This highlights how important it is for therapists to remain attentive to both emotional and physical well-being. We are not medical doctors and cannot offer medical advice, but therapists are often the ones who notice when something doesn’t quite add up. Therapy can help clients piece together their experiences and build the confidence to advocate for themselves in medical settings.

At PeacePath Counseling, I understand how closely mental and physical health are connected. While therapists cannot provide medical advice, I can help support clients in advocating for their health and connecting with medical providers and community resources when needed. Caring for your physical health is an important part of supporting your mental well-being, just as caring for your mental health supports your body. I offer low-cost therapy for those with financial need because everyone deserves access to care that nurtures both the body and the mind. My hope is to walk alongside you as you find your own PeacePath.

References:

Carolina Wellness Psychiatry. How psychotherapy can Enhance your Physical health: Carolina Wellness Psychiatry, PLLC: Psychiatrists. (n.d.). https://www.carolinawellnesspsychiatry.com/blog/how-psychotherapy-can-enhance-your-physical-healthCarson, N., Katz, A. M., Gao, S., & Alegría, M. (2010). Assessment of physical illness by mental health clinicians during intake visits. Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.), 61(1), 32–37. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.61.1.32

Cleveland Clinic. Tardive dyskinesia. (2025, September 19). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6125-tardive-dyskinesia

Ferguson, S. (2025, August 26). 10 health conditions mistaken for anxiety. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/medical-conditions-that-mimic-anxiety

Howard, L. (2025, August 24). Anxiety disorders will affect nearly 1 in 3 adults: Here’s what you need to know. News. https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/anxiety-disorders-will-affect-nearly-1-in-3-adults-heres-what-you-need-to-know/2023/05

Prenuvo. The most common health misdiagnoses in women—and why they keep happening | Prenuvo blog. (n.d.). https://prenuvo.com/blog/the-most-common-health-misdiagnoses-in-women--and-why-they-keep-happening