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 3286 reviews and the average rating is 4.8 out of 5 stars.

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"Excellent"

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"Good service. Very helpful"

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"Easy affordable help!"

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"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!]

"So far I am feeling good about seeking counsel. Just writing down the issues I'm having in my personal relationship with my partner has been helpful and beneficial. The feedback I've been getting from Ashley, asking certain questions that get me to focus on real situations that are, or have been causing problems. i look forward to the responses from my therapist, and am very hopeful that my partner and I can come to an understanding and unconditional love that can stand the test of time."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Bernadette is a genuine, caring and knowledgeable therapist who offers sound advice. She is truly down to earth and I am grateful for her support!"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Convenient, holistic and reliable, online therapy has saved me hours of travel to see a therapist at a fraction of the cost"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"My therapist is a darling."

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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!]

"The services provided are stellar and I plan to continue learning from my therapist."

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