Health Anxiety
Health Anxiety, also known as Illness Anxiety or Hypochondriasis, is an extremely common problem, affecting roughly 4-5% of the population. Individuals who struggle with health anxiety are preoccupied with real or perceived health problems. This could look like:
Spending lots of time worrying about potential medical conditions.
Being hyperaware of bodily sensations, closely monitoring any changes or perceived problems.
Spending inordinate amounts of time researching — Google, WebMD, etc.
Frequently attending medical appointments OR avoiding medical appointments.
Seeking reassurance from others regarding their health.
Health Anxiety is closely entwined with the need for certainty. Many people find that they just want an answer! Whether it’s a guaranteed clean bill of health or confirmation of a terminal diagnosis, either way they just want to know definitively what’s going on. People often find that they are unsatisfied in their quest for certainty, as the temporary reassurance from a doctor’s visit or Google search quickly gives way to doubt again. It’s imperative that individuals with Health Anxiety learn to tolerate uncertainty, trusting in their doctors and in their own intuition.
Health Anxiety Resources
Article: “When Worrying is Its Own Illness” by Josh Spitalnick & Michael Stier
Article: “Shedding Light on Health Anxiety OCD” by Molly Schiffer
Article: “Worried Sick: Health Anxiety & the Do-I-Have-This Disorder” by Em Burfitt
Book: The Complete Guide to Getting Over Health Anxiety by Josh Spitalnick and Michael Stier
Book: Freedom from Health Anxiety by Karen Cassiday