Overcome Health Anxiety with Online Therapy

Category: Health Anxiety Online Therapy | Last updated: September 20th, 2025 | 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 4137 reviews and the average rating is 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"great exercises that really help reflect on behaviors and attitudes that brings the idea that I can be better than this"

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Rating: [4 out of 5 stars!]

"It has been a lifesaver to find online counseling, I really appreciate my Dr and her insight."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"My therapist Audrey, a Social Worker has helped me very much. I feel very blessed to have her as my Therapist."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Outstanding. Best therapist I’ve ever had by far. Really helping us communicate as a couple. The exercises are very helpful."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"So far so good."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"It's good to dissect my situation with the therapist. I experience all of my emotions and think deeply. This will change me life"

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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!]

"I really appreciate having access to therapy at my own pace whenever is convenient for me. I have a unique schedule and travel often so it is nice that I can take time for therapy whenever I have the chance."

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Rating: [4 out of 5 stars!]

"I received important resources and lovely care and support through.a tough time in my life. Very grateful!"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"In general: I'm happy with the platform
Absolute pros: 1) it's very helpful in the CBT methods 2) the videos and the worksheets cover the basics and sometimes even above and beyond 3) the therapist they paired me with is very attentive, and is always reaching out and providing me with resources that could help me 4) my therapist is passionate about her work and to help me through this journey.
Room for improvement: The only recommendation I suggest is that this platform be made into an app that would be wonderful, especially if there is a reminder function. I understand that in the end I am the person who needs to be willing to make the changes and to go the extra mile, but I would really appreciate if I could be reminded to do my work. This is my personal preference, so I would take it with a pinch of salt."

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