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 3939 reviews and the average rating is 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I did my sessions with Tara and she was really helpful. She was able to find the root cause and help me how to deal with it."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Once I found the right therapist, I found the service very helpful. I could message and get the support I felt I needed when I felt I was in crisis. I am happy with the service so far."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"The program and support from the therapist really comes at your own pace, which works great for me."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Good app and good therapist"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I have been using the service for a couple week. I was able to be matched up with a therapist that seems to understand my self in a much deeper level.
I'm starting the journey to learn more about my self and why I am who I am. I'm excited for this journey and the impact it will have on my life!"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Extremely helpful so far, i have a nice therapist who has been talking to me and helping me get over my problems quickly!"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I've been to various doctors for my chonic headache over the past 2 and a half years and also did chiro and everything else, but those didn't help at all. With Dr. Evans' help, though, I've been able to achieve a meaningful reduction in my pain! It's awesome! She also has a keen way of understanding your situation without you having to spell it out, which is exactly what you want in a therapist.

Thanks, Dr. Evans!"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"The difference between who is was before I started online-therapy and who I am today is night and day. I have my life back and it’s all thanks to Dr. Evans and this site. There’s no therapy experience, including in person, that’s given me what this platform has."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Be quite excellent as always !
Definitely helpful !"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"This has helped me more than I really thought it would. I will continue to use this site to better myself for me and my future family!"

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