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 2507 reviews and the average rating is 4.7 out of 5 stars.

Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I love the tools on top of the therapy session. It feels personalized and like I am able to go at my own pace."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"This program has been extremely helpful for me- the convenience of being able to message when I need to from home or work or wherever has been why I have been consistent with therapy for the first time."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I did extensive talk therapy as a young woman, which was extremely useful. I recommend it. But in my current situation, I wanted to find ways to deal with my anxiety, which had become disabling. I wanted concrete steps for now, and not so much a deep dive into my past. This program, and CBT, turned out to be the right way for me to go at this point in my life. I feel like I have the information and the steps, and although it will be a process to re-frame my thoughts and emotions, I believe it can be done. My therapist had insightful comments and a sense of humor, which I appreciated. I'm glad I did this program!"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Great, affordable therapy."

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Rating: [4 out of 5 stars!]

"I enjoy receiving the updates and being able to journal daily, this has given me the confidence to face my past and deal with the pain"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"My therapist has been wonderful, tailoring the experience to what is most helpful to me."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Very good"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I’ve been seeing a caring compassionate smart therapist who understands my needs and is helping me make effective changes."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I have had a most enjoyable and enriching experience with my online sessions. Sherrie Kaelin has been an amazing therapist."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I'm beyond grateful for finding Vanessa to be my therapist! It's taken me over 5 years to take this step and it is perfect timing with a therapist who is patient, kind and caring. I look forward to our sessions weekly and happy to be supported as I dig through my stuff."

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