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 3296 reviews and the average rating is 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I wish I had started therapy long ago as since I started it’s made me such a happier person. My therapist is the best and he makes me feel safe and comfortable which allows me to be open."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I have truly appreciated the support that has been offered throughout this program. i have been a part of this online-therapy program for about six months now and can honestly say it was the best decision I could have made. It has been a pillar of support as I navigate through some tougher parts of my past year."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I have recently felt very empowered and connected to my self again thanks to this program. I have been actively applying the tools taught during and in-between sessions and can attest to the positive effect it has been creating. I am very grateful that I chose and continue to receive support through this platform!"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"The lecture opened an brand-new avenue for me to manage my emotion and daily life. Myself and my family will greatly benefit from what I have been taught. I have no doubt I will experience much happier life, more importantly, with my family.
Thank you very much!"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I would highly recommend this online therapy program. I found the worksheets very useful, in the way that I saw myself where I was making mistakes, and that there is a alternative, more often than not, more realistic point of view of my problems. The therapist is clearly highly experienced and professional, very helpful with his knowledge and insights. He would respond very often, making sure that I am staying on the right track. I feel free to discus my issues, without the feeling of being judged."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"So far I have really benefitted from this service. I would definitely recommend giving it a go if you haven’t been happy elsewhere"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I've been my procrastinating, but ready now to get going!"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Vanessa is so easy to talk to and helped direct me forward. The worksheets are helpful."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Shelly Clark is a beacon of hope! She always gave me a welcoming safe place to share, be heard and guided to cope and navigate effectively through life's ups and downs. She is down to earth, warm and knowledgeable.
I think we all want to have that friend or family member that we can come and talk to that knows just what to say and gives tuff love in a loving way that motivates. She is that person for me and I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to meet her. A real gem! Thank you Shelly!"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Marie Chisholm is amazing. I have only had a few sessions, and so far, things are amazing. She’s helping me a lot. She’s so sweet and caring, and her voice is so calming."

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