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!]

"Our therapist has been amazing!"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I really like the convenience and privacy."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"The technology is easy to use. The structured content is very helpful and so are the live therapy sessions. I’m pleased with the results so far."

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Rating: [4 out of 5 stars!]

"So I like my treatment. I am still feeling bad I hope to feel better. My counselor is good."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"So far, so good! I'm really hoping my therapist can help me. Also, the costs for this program are a lot better than others online, so that was a plus."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"My experience has been great. I've been using Online Therapy to supplement my mental health routine. I like that I can purchase a month of treatment at a time, such as around major holidays, or when my regular therapist is not feeling well. I use the texting live sessions and it's a great help for someone like me struggling with agoraphobia issues."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"The counselor that we were paired with has been one like no other. This is our 3rd platform, attempting marriage counseling and I can honestly say that it is the only one that has led us to meeting a counselor that put in the work and effort for us. Sessions don't consist of silence and awkward chat, they consist of structured conversations surrounding real life issues between our marriage to actually work on."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Jack has been the most helpful and insightful therapist! Honestly, idk how he understands me so well."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"It is helpful. Is not cheap but if you do the work the chances of success are higher"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Good service. Very helpful"

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