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 3980 reviews and the average rating is 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I’ve been spiraling non stop with anxiety, panic attacks and lack of sleep which then lead me to feeling emotional and doubting everything. Within 2 sessions, worksheets, tips, and tasks to do daily it has really changed my thought process and how to go about my daily routine. Thank you I’m still working on it"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I am very happy with the therapist I have matched with and the tools provided to me to be able to work through the issues I came to resolve!"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Therapy has made a meaningful difference for both me and my partner. With the support of Shawn Matthews, we’ve grown tremendously and are finally moving forward together on a healthier, more positive path."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"This platform is real helpful so far 3 weeks into it. The worksheets help tremendously when diving into how i think & express emotions. Live therapy sessions are a great additional touch to dive deeper."

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Rating: [4 out of 5 stars!]

"Valuable insight, but I'm unsure if therapy is for me"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"This is an excellent utility that provides quick, quality support and service in a confidential and highly professional setting. Everything is a very customizable so you drive the course of care and discussion, making it easy to fit into your busy schedule. A truly invaluable service that I'm grateful to have found."

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Rating: [4 out of 5 stars!]

"I came to therapy because I was at a point where something had to change and I needed an independent and challenging view not an echo chamber, only a few weeks in but the way seems clearer and I feel stronger"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Dr. Pott-Pepperman is exceptional and kind. He listened to my problems and addressed my concerns and was tremendously supportive and helpful. Thank you so much I am really grateful for having my therapy with you."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I like the platform its easy to understand and helps me to reflect on myself"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Be quite excellent as always !
Definitely helpful !"

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