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!]

"Kat has a very good manner, is clearly knowledgable and capable. We think her contribution has been very helpful, thanks."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I’m excited about doing homework before my first session. I thrive on doing homework! I think your platform is well organized, and easy to use."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I have done a month so far of online therapy, and its really helped me, i really like how you can choose text, phone, or video. and you go your pace with the modules you work together with your therapist with.
The only thing i really didn't like is if something has come up that i couldn't make an appointment on the phone appointment but you can make a text appointment you cant change that yourself.
The reason why i think i have had such a good experience online therapy is because of my therapist Loree Mastel-Marr, she has been so helpful and patient, positive, supportive, and i can joke around with her at the right times in a session when i need, she gets back to me right away when i send messages, i really cant say enough good things about her. She's awesome!"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"highly recommend online therapy for anyone who wants to improve your wellbeing"

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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!]

"Excellent"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I've tried a number of online therapy platforms. None were as good as this. This one works with you holistically and keeps you engaged on a daily basis. My therapist is excellent and she's always available via text and she replies promptly. So far my experience has been 👍 excellent!"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Starting therapy was the best thing I have done, My therapist Bernadette is so good at what she does and I really look forward to our therapy session ever week, She is so understanding and has really helped me a lot over the past couple of weeks"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Online therapy has helped me so much over this past month! Dr. Lucy is a great therapist, and I highly recommend her!"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Such a great platform. I'm glad this therapy journey could be a steady support for my life to discover myself and recreate my mental world. I like different kinds of sessions provided and I really enjoy talking with my therapist Maria who is professional and patient :)"

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