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 2137 reviews and the average rating is 4.7 out of 5 stars.

Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I truly don't think I would be here right now if it wasn't for Li. She has wonderful insight and incredible patience. I have a lot of baggage and that's putting it mildly. She has allowed me to go at my own pace which has helped me and kept me in therapy. Pushing helps, but pushing too hard doesn't. She knows the difference. She's very frank and at first that took me off guard but then I realized that this is a good thing. I wish I found her years ago...."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I was a little nervous at first to just take the jump and try this program but it's day one and I'm already feeling like I'm going to learn and grow and be better for it."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I like how it is my own pace and there are alot of options for me to choose from"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"My therapist is wonderful. Not only is the therapist incredible but my therapy worksheets have already done so much to help me. I have been doing online therapy for roughly 3 weeks and I already feel like I have received so many useful tips. I have such a change in my mindset already and I love it. I have done therapy in person before and it wasn't really the type of therapy I needed. With online therapy I can go at my own ace and I am not forced to do anything. I can work as fast or as slow as I need and my therapist sends me great resources that are helping me be a better person. I feel a trillion times better than I have in the past. This therapy is exactly what I needed. Thank you online therapy for making me a better person!"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"My first therapist match didn't work out. I was feeling down about it and almost questioned cancelling my service altogether. I gave it another shot and really enjoy my new therapist. I feel like I've made lots a progress in such a short time while also keeping in mind its not a quick fix. I'm going to stick with it and am thankful for my therapist and the work she is doing to help me get through."

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Rating: [4 out of 5 stars!]

"Great program, but I am changing therapists since my current one is leaving. Hopeful for continued success"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"It’s been great being able to go at my own pace!"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"enjoying the one on one video chat , very helpful therapy"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"My therapist (Peter Frieswick) has been nothing but supportive and kind and patient from day one. I'm so incredibly grateful to Online Therapy for putting together such an excellent resource. This is my absolute first time doing therapy and it's been an excellent investment. Here's a big thank you!"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Very specific treatment and had helped me for the first time managing my anger.."

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