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 4135 reviews and the average rating is 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I am new to therapy and this platform is an easy stress free way to get the help i need for myself and my family. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is thinking about trying therapy but hasn't taken the chance yet."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Cynthia has really helped me to be more open with my emotions, have increased self awareness and greater ability to communicate with others even in times of difficulty or discomfort. To really sit with my emotions at times and realise when I'm suppressing and hindering my progress to feel whatever it is at that moment. I have a lot to work on but I know I have already made a lot of progress."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I started therapy about 2 weeks ago after struggling with my problem for 7 months with little change and even maybe worsening over that 7 months…. I have put my best foot forward with my therapy and taken it seriously to move forward and have seen good results in just two weeks…. I am continuing to finish this and move on completely from my problem but I am hopefully optimistic"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Very responsive to messages - not left waiting for replies. Supportive, no pressure - can work through things at own pace. Flexibility to focus in what you need at that specific time, not just focused on the worksheets."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Brilliant prices and great to have financial aid."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"super easy to use and helpful for connecting with therapists"

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Rating: [4 out of 5 stars!]

"I feel like I have really improved through this journey of online therapy"

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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!]

"Dr. Vicki has helped me so much in such a short time, it's amazing! She has always been very flexible, patient, and caring with her approach. She has allowed me a safe space to not be ashamed of myself or the things that I want to change. I value my relationship with her very much, and I highly recommend her to anyone who wants to pull a complete 180! She has made an extremely positive change in how I see my life, my situation, myself, my brain, and my challenges. Thank you so much!!"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"It’s good"

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