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 3298 reviews and the average rating is 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Online therapy with Mr. Hayes has been great. I am getting some great breakthroughs and it’s super impactful. Overall have had a great experience."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Working on finding a balance in motherhood and all of life's challenges has been a difficult task for me, as I have tried to wade through my personal trauma I have stumbled greatly through being a sense of peace and calm for my family. Working in the Online-Therapy platform has helped me grow and reaffirm a sense of self while given me the tools of mindfulness and gratitude. Online-therapy.com has been an easy resource to utilize and navigate, I am beyond grateful for what I have learned and am still learning."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Beth is fantastic at counseling. She truly cares and will be there for you. She makes me feel comfortable to tell her anything. I have gone to a lot of counselors and she is head and shoulders above most of them. Her experience shows. She will hold you accountable but in a kind way. Overall great experience and I look forward to continuing to grow as a person with her help."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I would highly recommend this online therapy. I think the worksheets are very useful, in the way that they brought to me a different perspective on looking at my problems. Therapist is highly professional and helpful with his insights, bringing words of wisdom, which I much needed to hear"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Ms. Hiscoe is a wonderful person who really asks great questions, has a personable demeanor, and leaves us with action items which expedites our growth. Thank you, highly recommend."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Very helpful in my time of need !"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"The payment was smooth."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I have found a lot of value in how the worksheets have been directing my thoughts. My therapist has been commenting and giving me tips from the worksheets too and I have seen drastic improvements in the way I think and my energy overall! The journal is nice to have since its not mandatory but it is nice to keep track of my day and be grateful for the things I did during the day!"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I wish I had started therapy long ago as since I started it’s made me such a happier person. My therapist is the best and he makes me feel safe and comfortable which allows me to be open."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"After working with Marie Chisholm for a while, for the first time in what seems to be 10 years I no longer feel depressed."

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