Illness anxiety disorder: Understanding and overcoming hypochondriasis

Most people worry about their health from time to time. And in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it makes sense that many of us are more vigilant than ever about not getting sick. But for people who live with illness anxiety disorder, worries about their health dominate their everyday lives. 

Formerly known as hypochondriasis or hypochondria, illness anxiety disorder (also known as health or medical anxiety) is now the preferred term for a condition that causes excessive concerns about being or getting sick. Left untreated, it can negatively affect a person’s mental and physical well-being, as well as their ability to work, go to school, and engage in social activities.  

One of the most challenging aspects of illness anxiety disorder is that it creates intense worry about health, even when medical providers give reassurance that no illness is present. In other words, people with illness anxiety disorder remain anxious about getting sick despite showing no sign of illness or serious health complications. 

Symptoms of illness anxiety disorder

Illness anxiety disorder is more than just waking up with a sore throat and wondering if you’re coming down with something. It involves constant, overwhelming fears about your health that can get in the way of daily life. 

You may have illness anxiety disorder if:

• You speak to your doctor frequently for reassurance.
• You seek additional tests even though you don’t have any observable signs of illness and haven’t engaged in any activity that would increase your risk of getting sick.
• You spend hours each day researching health topics online.
• You get test results that show that you’re healthy but don’t believe them.
• You self-diagnose with a new disease or condition when you hear about it.
• You spend a lot of time worrying about getting sick.
• Your fears about sickness have negatively affected your relationships or kept you from engaging in hobbies or activities you used to enjoy.

Keep in mind that many conditions may look like illness anxiety disorder. For example, somatoform disorders cause actual physical symptoms even if a person is well. Similarly, health anxiety can be related to certain forms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). For instance, people living with sensorimotor OCD may have an unhealthy fixation on their bodily functions.

Causes of illness anxiety disorder

We don’t yet have a full understanding of what causes illness anxiety disorder. But it likely results from a combination of the following risk factors:

• Genetics: Having a first-degree relative with health anxiety or another type of anxiety disorder
• Childhood experiences: Being chronically sick as a child or if someone in your family was seriously ill when you were young 
• Mental health: Living with a co-occurring mental health condition, like depression
• Environment: Experiencing extreme stress or trauma

In addition to illness anxiety disorder, healthy anxiety can stem from a variety of conditions, and the differences between them can be a little confusing. But know that you don’t need to know where your anxiety is coming from or which condition you’re living with to ask for help. No matter the underlying reasons for your health anxiety, know that with the right support, you can learn to better manage your worries. 

Taking control of health anxiety

Untreated health anxiety can affect your life in many ways. If you’re constantly worried about getting sick, you might have a hard time caring for yourself, meeting expectations at work or school, or prioritizing your relationships. But remember: Illness anxiety disorder is treatable. 

Five self-management strategies for coping with illness anxiety disorder

Like other mental health conditions, health anxiety may require professional help to address effectively. But in addition to seeking treatment, there are some things you can do to strengthen your mental health in the meantime.

1. Connect with others. Sharing your feelings and experiences with trusted friends or family members can provide emotional support. Opening up about your health worries to someone you trust can help ease your anxiety and reassure you that you are not alone in your experiences.
2. Stay busy. Actively engaging in an activity you enjoy can help you channel your thoughts away from your health anxiety. Consider making a list of enjoyable things you can do when you start to feel anxious.
3. Write it down. Taking note of how often you’re thinking about your health or worrying about illness can give you some powerful insight. You can use this information as a baseline for you to identify patterns and work toward reducing the time spent on these thoughts.
4. Manage stress. Utilizing helpful coping strategies can help you manage stress related to health anxiety. For example, you may enjoy taking a walk or practicing deep breathing.
5. Challenge your anxiety. When you have an anxious thought (like, “My muscles are so stiff this morning, something must be seriously wrong”), see if you can challenge it. For example, are there any other reasons you could be sore today? 

Treatment for illness anxiety disorder

Treatment for illness anxiety disorder typically consists of a combination of:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is one of the most effective treatments for illness anxiety disorder. This type of therapy helps people uncover and address unhelpful thought patterns. It can also help reduce unhealthy behaviors, like constantly checking for signs of illness.
• Psychoeducation: Learning more about the differences between natural body functions and the signs of sickness can help alleviate health anxiety.
• Medication: For some people, medication is an important part of healing from illness anxiety disorder. You can talk to your provider about whether this option is right for you.

A note about seeking treatment: Sometimes, people with illness anxiety disorder may be hesitant to talk to their doctor about what they’re experiencing. They may worry about being judged or that their provider will confirm their worst fears. Rest assured that speaking up about what you’re going through is one of the most important things you can do to overcome anxiety. Your healthcare provider can provide a referral to a therapist who can support you in your recovery. 

Find care with Rula

We all have days when we roll out of bed and something doesn’t feel right. We might have a scratchy throat or a sore neck and wonder if something is wrong. This is a normal part of navigating life in a human body. However, if you experience constant worries about your health, it could be a sign of illness anxiety disorder, and you may benefit from professional help. 

With Rula, you can access affordable, individualized mental healthcare from the comfort of home. In just a few minutes, you can use our therapist-matching program to find an in-network provider and schedule your first appointment for as soon as tomorrow.

Find a therapist with Rula