Overcome Health Anxiety with Online Therapy

Category: Health anxiety | Last updated: October 18th, 2018 | 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 595 reviews and the average rating is 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Rating: [4 out of 5 stars!]

"I've been doing the program for about a month and so far it has helped me out. I am able to actively receive feedback on my day to day habits and thought processes. My therapist asks appropriate questions and provides very helpful and non-judgmental suggestions."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"This has been a positive experience. The process has given me information to examine and new insights into behaviors of mine that are hurtful and not helpful. I look forward to making more progress each day."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Its easy to navigate, easy to understand and works well."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I was concerned about online therapy. Heck, I don't even like to shop online. I have almost completed the program and am pleased with my progress and my therapist. Thank you Maggie for your challenges and your insight."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Convenient caring the right amount of blunt while staying showing compassion."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I feel better having someone to talk about things with and help me get through the week. I work a lot and cant afford time off to go to appointments etc, and having this at hand 24/7 is so much better in my opinion than a once a week session. I would highly recommend this to anyone with a busy schedule."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"This is a great system to address my pressing needs. The worksheets help focus my needs while having an expert therapist guide me through the process."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I have found this service great. i have been able to work at my own pace and the regular feedback from my therapist has kept me focused. i would recommend this course to anybody needing it. It has certainly helped me."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Iv only been doing it for a couple of weeks but have noticed two major break threw in my thoughts and feelings ... looking forward to learning new information to help make life little easier"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"This has been helpful to just providing me with an outlet. I've very much so needed it & didn't realize how much. My therapist has been helpful with providing me with tools to practice & holding me accountable."

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