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 3864 reviews and the average rating is 4.8 out of 5 stars.

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"I am really enjoying the program you offer."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Terrific system can’t wait to do more."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I have had a positive experience throughout my short time doing therapy. I have been provided support consistently and given tools to aid my challenges on a daily basis.
I would recommend."

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Rating: [4 out of 5 stars!]

"I enjoy having the worksheet options and feedback from the therapist along with the sessions."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"My therapist is very knowledgeable and listens to me, she gives me feedback and answers questions quickly, I'm glad to have chosen the right person, this has been very helpful and very insightful into myself."

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Rating: [4 out of 5 stars!]

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Thanks."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Really enjoy this platform! Found a great therapist to help me start my mental health improvement journey"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I have nothing bad to day at this time. I am very happy with my experience so far. It is nice to have someone to relate to."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"We’ve had a great experience so far. Our therapist is very helpful and understanding. I’m happy we decided to give this a go!"

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