A headache becomes a brain tumor. A skipped heartbeat becomes a heart attack. You check your body, search your symptoms, and feel relieved after a normal test — until the next worry arrives. Constant fear about your health is exhausting, and it has a name.
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What health anxiety is
“Health anxiety” is an everyday term. The American Psychiatric Association describes illness anxiety disorder (previously called hypochondriasis) as being preoccupied with having or getting an illness — constantly worrying about your health, frequently checking yourself for signs of illness, and taking extreme precautions to avoid health risks. Unlike somatic symptom disorder, people with illness anxiety disorder generally don’t experience significant physical symptoms.
Common signs
- Frequently checking your body (pulse, lumps, moles, blood pressure)
- Searching symptoms online for hours
- Seeking reassurance from doctors, family, or friends — but it doesn’t last
- Avoiding doctors altogether out of fear of bad news
- Interpreting normal sensations as signs of serious illness
- Worry that interferes with work, sleep, or relationships
The reassurance trap
Checking and reassurance bring short-term relief, which teaches your brain to do it again — and the anxiety comes back stronger. Breaking that loop is a core part of treatment.
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What helps
- See a doctor once, then follow a plan. Ruling out real medical problems matters; repeated tests usually don’t reduce anxiety.
- Cut back on checking and symptom searching gradually.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps you test catastrophic thoughts and reduce checking and reassurance-seeking.
- Learn how anxiety feels in the body — see physical symptoms of anxiety that feel like illness.
Frequently asked questions
Is health anxiety the same as hypochondria?
Illness anxiety disorder was previously referred to as hypochondriasis, according to the American Psychiatric Association.
Can health anxiety cause physical symptoms?
Anxiety itself can cause real physical sensations such as a racing heart or stomach upset, which can then fuel health worries.
What is the best treatment for health anxiety?
CBT is a well-studied approach. A therapist can also help you reduce checking and reassurance-seeking.
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Sources
- American Psychiatric Association: What Is Somatic Symptom Disorder? (incl. illness anxiety disorder)
- NIMH: Anxiety Disorders
- NIMH: Psychotherapies
- American Psychological Association: Cognitive behavioral therapy