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 4228 reviews and the average rating is 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"So far so good. Everything I read and researches says that online therapy is as effective as in person therapy. I'm a week in and so far I'm comfortable with my therapist Janice. She has been prompt in answering and has shown caring, concern and kindness, and not just a bunch of "you got this!" stuff. She has given me effective advice and tools to use."

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Rating: [4 out of 5 stars!]

"So far speaking to my therapist has definitely help me find myself"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Went very well"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Stephanie has been incredible. Welcoming; a sense of safety and ability to share and converse like you are confiding in someone trustworthy of your emotions. Highly recommend to anyone feeling overwhelmed and open to learning coping strategies ... even if you think you are just fine!"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Lisa was a wonderful therapist! She helped me feel confident in expressing myself and that I had a safe space during our sessions. My therapy primarily centered around my couples relationship issues which she provided wonderful guidance and self-exploration and balancing between where I could feel justified in areas and opening up my eyes to how I can improve myself."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I was paired with a wonderful therapist who helps guiding me through my struggles with so much respect and care. Being able to text her and have two sessions per week is truly helpful and relieving. Would 10/10 always recommend!"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Excellent service!"

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Rating: [4 out of 5 stars!]

"Isabelle Churchill is an amazing therapist, in a short time she has resolved quite a few issues I a was experiencing."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Great website full of really helpful resources!"

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Rating: [4 out of 5 stars!]

"It feels nice to have a dedicated platform that I can come to take care of my emotional well-being."

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