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 3469 reviews and the average rating is 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Talking to Bernadette has been refreshing and helpful. She was extremely resourceful towards helping my unique situation. Thank you, Bernadette. Appreciate your insights and advise."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I was at a really low spot, honestly, and it was my own fault. But Kacey has really helped me pinpoint some things that I've always known were wrong, but didn't know how to address. She also helped hold me accountable for beginning to exercise again, and encourages me to give myself credit for where I'm already at. That in itself is a priceless piece of advice that has taught me alot. Online Therapy is the best thing that's happened to me in a long time."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I have had my therapy sessions with Vanessa very useful. She is warm and kind and I find her easy to talk to and very helpful."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Have only had two sessions so far with Mina but have found each super helpful. I do the weekly calls but check in on the online worksheets when I need a boost inbetween. These have also been a great help."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Beth Lakes is a wonderful and thoughtful and present therapist! I was a therapist in a previous life and I can tell you she is very good at her calling to do this for others. She is kind and pays attention to what you are saying as much as what you are not saying. Definitely recommend her and Online Therapy. It is very flexible with how and where and when."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Great service, great therapist. Would reccomend"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Helping me sort out my issues and getting my life oriented."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I have had three sessions and have achieved more so far than I have with previous therapists.
Very happy and looking forward to continuing my sessions."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I am liking the worksheet sections and the journal entry section."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Was an amazing experience I enjoyed every part of it. This experience help me discover different parts of myself, and the support for my therapist Bernadette Eze was very helpful for what I was going through this time

I’m really glad that I did it and committed to the process"

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