Welcome back to the Peds Doc Talk podcast. It's me, Dr. Mona, and you are listening to our weekly, the follow-up episode, where we revisit an old favorite episode in less time than it takes for you to spiral because your child is sick again.

I chose this episode because, let's be honest, everybody is sick with something right now.

Back-to-school means back-to-back illnesses,

schedule crashes, and that creeping anxiety, parents feel every time the thermometer beeps,

or your child starts to cough. For me, health anxiety really started with my son Ryan. When he had

his stroke and seizures as a newborn, every moment felt uncertain. And when we finally realized

things were stable and he was improving,

that heavy anxiety lifted until he got sick with viruses. I'll never forget the first time

he spiked a fever and he was sick. I walked into his room and had a flashback of walking into the

neonatal ICU. Those memories can creep in. And even if your child has never been hospitalized or seriously

ill, it's real to feel your stomach drop when they're sick. So in this follow-up, we're revisiting

why this happens, how to manage it. And of course, you can go back to the full episode,

managing health anxiety, if you want all the detailed tips I share. If this resonates, don't forget to download the episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it

with a friend.

I know that sounds like a lot to ask, but that's how the show continues to grow.

And tag at the Pete's Doc Talk podcast and at Pete's Doc Talk, so I know it landed with you.

Let's get into it.

Okay. so I know it landed with you. Let's get into it. Our brain is wanting to protect us and our family.

Now, this health anxiety is common for many,

regardless if your child was in the NICU, the hospital, or not.

It doesn't matter, you know, or if they had any major medical issues. Remember when we talk about anxiety, this is a feeling of fear, dread, worry,

or uneasiness. It's a feeling. It's not who you are. And sometimes I think we let anxiety define

...