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!]

"Very good, happy with the current state of things. Looking forward to my next meeting."

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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!]

"Loree has been supportive, guiding me along the way to find the confidence to believe in myself again, providing a safe environment were I felt safe and understood, I felt heard. it has been a fantastic opportunity to meet her and to be guided through these difficult moments."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"The experience has been fantastic so far. The therapist I am working with is incredibly kind and knowledgeable. I her approach and regarding mental health. All of worksheets and online experiences are excellent. The variety is outstanding as well, with video options being my favorite way consume information."

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Rating: [4 out of 5 stars!]

"Like the variety of options and tools not just live sessions"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Amazing, thank you Dr.Lucy"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"has helped me overcome a lot of stressful things just being able to talk with someone about it all and having the reminder to put myself first"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"The worksheets are straightforward with guidance when you need with valuable follow-up from your therapist."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"The journey so far has been great, easy questionnaire to find a therapist, matched quickly, and my therapist reached out/checked in before our first session to put me at ease. Still got a long way to go but very pleased so far and the resources seem great."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I am really enjoying the program you offer."

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