Overcome Health Anxiety with Online Therapy

Category: Health Anxiety Online Therapy | Last updated: February 1st, 2022 | Reviewed and approved by:
Dr. Steven Gans, MD
Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo, PhD

Are You Health Conscious or Health Anxious?

Almost every one of us gets concerned about our health and well-being. And that concern can motivate us to try to optimize our eating, sleep and to lead a healthy lifestyle. Being health conscious can be great. It helps a lot in leading a healthy, happy, successful and meaningful life.

However, problems arise when this health consciousness gets transformed into “health anxiousness”. If you become too obsessed about your health and if you get too apprehensive that you are suffering from a severe illness (without the presence of such medical symptoms), then you may be experiencing health anxiety. In the past, psychologists referred to this as “hypochondria”. However, it is now called Illness Anxiety Disorder.

Illness Anxiety Disorder is a somatic symptom disorder in which the person suffering from it gets overly anxious or obsessed over his/her physical conditions. They see even a minor problem as an exaggerated severe illness. People suffering from Illness Anxiety Disorder often require continuous care, support and assurance from health service providers, family and acquaintances.

See if you recognize yourself in the symptoms of health anxiety:

Being preoccupied with having or developing a serious disease or health condition
Worrying that minor symptoms or body sensations mean you have a serious illness
Being easily alarmed about your health status
Finding little or no reassurance from doctor visits or negative test results
Worrying excessively about a specific medical condition or your risk of developing a medical condition because it runs in your family
Having so much distress about possible illnesses that it's hard for you to function
Repeatedly checking your body for signs of illness or disease
Frequently making medical appointments for reassurance — or avoiding medical care for fear of being diagnosed with a serious illness
Avoiding people, places or activities for fear of health risks
Constantly talking about your health and possible illnesses
Frequently searching the internet for causes of symptoms or possible illnesses

What’s more, people with Illness Anxiety Disorder can also experience additional mental health issues, such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Clinical Depression, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

Treatment Procedures

The good news is that Illness Anxiety Disorder can be treated. Effective methods of treatment include Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Exposure Therapy and support. You can receive these types of treatment here at Online Therapy.

Reviews

Our online therapy services have received 3286 reviews and the average rating is 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Actually have a therapist who challenges me and helps me think outside the box."

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Rating: [4 out of 5 stars!]

"I originally subscribed only for Insomnia & Sleep problems, but within the first two weeks of CBT, my therapist and I still haven’t even discussed CBTi “for Insomnia”, as he was able to help me understand that Insomnia was largely just a symptom of a much more deep rooted mental health issue, mainly Anxiety. Buy focusing our efforts of the root problem, and learning methods to reduce my anxiety, I’ve been largely successful in improving my sleep within a short period of time — and to top it off I feel comforted knowing that this will be a long process, but fezivle and at a pace that suits my budget and needs. Highly recommend it!

* the only issue I’ve experienced so far has been technical difficulties which have taken up valuable time with my therapist."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"The portal is really great. You can just go in your own pace and its available all time. Connecting to the therapist via the worksheets is a really great option in addition to the regular therapy sessions. So far its been really helpful."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"My husband and I have had a great experience so far. I have had therapy in the past and this is his first time. It's really user friendly and the Dr. gets back to you quickly. I like that I can do it on Sundays."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Quick and easy to get started."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"My First experience with therapy , was very nervous going into it. Love that I can send messages to her as I need and my weekly phone calls are productive. The dashboard is convenient and very easy to use also. Very happy!"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"The best online platform I've tried"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I was not sure about online therapy but I love it and I really love my therapist who has helped me a ton just in the first month!"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I have been with the service for a month and very happy with my therapist."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"thanks for the help"

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