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 3846 reviews and the average rating is 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I always feel better after speaking to my therapist. She has given me so many resources. A big thank you for always being on point."

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Rating: [4 out of 5 stars!]

"I enjoy having the worksheet options and feedback from the therapist along with the sessions."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I feel so much better after two month of online therapy. I wasn't sleeping now I am sleeping every night. I am in way better control of my anxiety it's not controlling my life like it was."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Very happy so far with the service"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"i love how this platform is so easy to use! it's easy to message my therapist whenever i need them and i'm grateful i found someone who works for me !"

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Rating: [4 out of 5 stars!]

"This site is fantastic."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I love this service. At first I was hesitant cause I haven't heard the best about online therapy services like this or better help but I'm very glad that I signed up.
I really appreciate the 40% off for the first two months as I'm currently unemployed and the therapist I've been working with is very fit to match me with my needs and help that I require. I appreciate the opportunity to be able to reach out whenever I need to and the response is very prompt. 10/10"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Online-therapy has linked me up with a great therapist. The worksheets are accessible, and the interface is simple and easy to use."

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Rating: [4 out of 5 stars!]

"I like that there are discounts available based on income. I feel it’s important that individuals are able to access help if needed and this does make it easier to do that."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I've only been using Online Therapy for a couple days now, but I can already tell that it's going to have a huge impact on me and on my life. Dr. Lucy has been so wonderful so far, and I highly recommend her!"

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