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 3476 reviews and the average rating is 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"This service has been great and so helpful even in just a few weeks"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"My therapist is great! Such a huge help to me. I feel completely comfortable talking to her."

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Rating: [4 out of 5 stars!]

"I liked the option of having more therapists to choose from. So far my husband and I are happy with our therapist’s professionalism."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I have seen Shawn Matthews for five sessions now and have felt like I have come away from each session with new information about myself. I have seen several therapists over the years prior to Shawn, and would rate her near the top of the list."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Amazing support and help, very happy I found this."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"They connected the dots for me so I can heal and become the best I can be"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"My assigned counselor has been very attentive to our needs and professional."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"This CBT Course has been very helpful for me. I have done CBT before but this has worked for me.

I think the blend of the worksheets, the videos and the notes are really helpful. I took the on line feedback only from the therapist, I wanted this as I felt this was the best way I would respond (i.e. small feedback notes, rather than weekly sessions).

The challenge for me will be to keep this up, especially when things don't go the well, if this happens I'll re subscribe for a refresher."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Everyone goes through their own unique journey. I certainly have. For the longest time, it felt unfair and I had a lot of rage. I had a lot of anxiety and a lot of pain. Therapy helped me realize I can't control what happens but I can control how I react to events. It taught me that I am not my thoughts - I am the detached, calm, and silent observer observing those thoughts and emotions. Karen Coupe helped me a lot and I am grateful."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Muy Bien"

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