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 4294 reviews and the average rating is 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"So far so good. What I like about this site is that they make it very clear that they are here to help you, but it is up to YOU to do and put in the work.
This therapy will help me as much as I allow it you. I need to put in the work!"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I came on here with a couple of issues that were affecting my relationships with my family and people around me and my fiance.
Though the worksheets and the helpful advice from my therapist on here from my responses I give her, I am moving forward and making positive strides to help with my issues. And will continue to move forward."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"its great"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Comprehensive guide to sorting through your emotions."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"It's been really helpful to reflect on my behaviours and thought patterns and I've found the content easy to follow"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"This is a great platform. It makes therapy more affordable and accessible."

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Lisa is great"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"I love the price point and that it allows me to schedule and know I will have 4 appointments in a month. I loved the quick matching with a therapist and the accessibility of changing my therapist easily whenever I feel its needed. The video session interface is easy to use and was clear though at times there was a voice echo (will be doing next session on laptop to compare connections); overall I am enjoying the accessibility of this service as well as the help I receive from my therapist here!"

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Rating: [5 out of 5 stars!]

"Went very well"

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Rating: [4 out of 5 stars!]

"Easily accessible therapy support"

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