Hypochondria Therapy: Mental Health Support For Illness Anxiety Disorder
“Hypochondria” is a slightly outdated term primarily used today to refer to health anxiety or somatoform disorders. If you are worried you may be experiencing health anxiety, keep reading to learn more about what health anxiety-related disorders can look like.
What is hypochondria or health anxiety?
The word “hypochondria” is a shortened form of the word “hypochondriasis,” which was formerly used in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th Edition (DSM-4). Most mental health professionals use the DSM to assess and diagnose different types of mental illness.
Health anxiety vs. illness anxiety disorder and somatic symptom disorder
Illness anxiety disorder
Other symptoms of illness anxiety disorder
Somatic symptom disorder
Health anxiety or hypochondria
As mentioned above, both illness anxiety disorder and somatic symptom disorder are forms of health-related anxiety. Health anxiety can also relate to a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), in which patients may believe dangerous, potentially deadly germs exist on all surfaces and in the air all around them. This health-related fear may lead to compulsive behaviors such as excessive cleaning and hand washing.
Signs and symptoms of health anxiety
Health anxiety manifests differently among individuals, but there are signs and symptoms that can help you recognize it. Common symptoms of health anxiety may include:
- Preoccupation with the idea that one is seriously ill.
- Misinterpreting normal bodily functions, such as a rumbling stomach, as an indication of an illness.
- Twitching, hand wringing, and other nervous behaviors.
- Overreacting to mild illness symptoms, such as a tickle in the back of the throat.
- Persistent illness-related worry, even after receiving medical evaluations and reassurance from doctors.
- Experiencing a near-constant state of anxiety and alarm related to personal health.
- Hypervigilance.
- Repeatedly examining one’s body for signs of illness.
- Compulsively researching illnesses and their symptoms.
- Missing doctor’s appointments or refusing to schedule them.
- Avoiding interactions with healthcare providers out of fear one’s anxieties will be dismissed.
- Requesting multiple medical evaluations for the same condition despite previous negative or unchanged results.
- If an illness is actually present, experiencing concern and stress that is disproportionate to the illness.
Benefits of hypochondria therapy
People experiencing illness anxiety disorder, somatic symptom disorder, and any form of health anxiety may notice negative impacts on their lives. According to an article from the Journal of Psychiatry, anxiety disorders increase a person’s risk of developing a comorbid medical illness. Even if someone with an illness anxiety disorder doesn’t have a physical medication condition, their anxiety can contribute to the development of one.
In addition, a hyper-focus on a nonexistent or mild illness can impact a person’s ability to concentrate on their work or school and can cause damage to their personal relationships.
Types of hypochondria therapy
Health anxiety can significantly impact a person’s life, but there are options to manage illness anxiety disorder and related conditions, including the following:
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered to be one of the most effective methods to treat illness anxiety disorder and somatic symptom disorder. With cognitive behavioral therapy, often referred to as CBT, a mental health professional can work with a client to recognize thoughts and beliefs that are contributing to their anxiety around their health. Once these thoughts have been identified, the therapist and client can work together to break down unrealistic or unhelpful thought patterns and replace these with more rational ideas, which may lead to healthier emotions and behaviors.
Behavioral stress management
Behavioral stress management is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that focuses exclusively on the interactions between a person’s thoughts and behaviors and their stress levels. Since health anxiety can involve stress, learning behavioral stress management techniques may provide symptom relief. Behavioral stress management may be particularly impactful in situations where health anxiety results from an actual diagnosed physical health condition. In these cases, it's still possible for the anxiety to be disproportionate to the diagnosis or the person’s experience with the disease.
Finding mental health support for health anxiety, illness anxiety disorder, and somatic symptom disorder
If you are experiencing high levels of worry around your physical health but have been declared healthy by a physician or are concerned that you may have a health anxiety disorder, you may want to speak with a therapist. Anxiety can sometimes make it difficult to leave the house; in addition, physical health symptoms (whether they are a result of your anxiety or not) can make traveling to an in-person appointment complicated. If this is the case for you, you might want to consider online sessions through a platform like BetterHelp.
Benefits of online mental health care
With online counseling, you can book sessions according to your availability and meet with a therapist from anywhere you have an internet connection. This may be useful if you’re looking for ease, freedom, and convenience as you schedule your counseling sessions. Therapists are also trained in a variety of methods, so you can find a professional who specializes in CBT or another format that can target anxiety disorders like illness anxiety disorder.
The efficacy of online cognitive behavioral therapy for health anxiety
How does online CBT help individuals seeking mental health support?
Forms of therapy like online CBT often seek to help people identify the negative or unhelpful thought patterns contributing to their symptoms. Over time, the individual can learn how to change their ways of thinking to support healthier behaviors. If you want to find support for anxiety related to your health, online therapy may be a helpful and convenient way for you to get treatment.
Takeaway
What is life like living with hypochondria?
Life with hypochondria can involve a persistent fear of being ill, constant worry about having serious diseases like cancer, repeated medical tests, or seeking reassurance from medical professionals. The American Psychiatric Association notes that these fears can cause emotional distress and lead to mental health issues.
Is there a support group for hypochondriacs?
Yes, many healthcare providers suggest support groups where people can talk with others who share similar fears. Family and friends can also help you cope and encourage you to maintain good health.
How do you let go of health anxiety?
You might learn coping skills from therapists or mental health care professionals and focus on limiting unnecessary medical tests. Addressing depression, if present, can also ease the burden, especially if there’s a family history of anxiety.
How do you break a hypochondriac cycle?
Try to talk with healthcare providers about your concerns and request medical tests only when truly needed. Practice self-care to cope with ongoing fears and reduce care-avoidant behaviors.
How to calm down a hypochondriac?
Encourage them to speak openly with family or friends about their worries and remind them they may not be ill. Focusing on good health routines can help reduce stress and lessen the urge for multiple tests.
What is the root cause of hypochondria?
It can stem from past illness experiences, depression, or a family history. Some believe constant fears arise when people rely too heavily on medical exams to confirm they aren’t ill.
How do you stop worrying about your partner's health?
Try to share your concerns calmly and encourage them to see mental health care professionals only if needed. They might rely on medication or repeated exams when anxious, but a supportive approach can help.
Does hypochondria get worse with age?
For some individuals, worrying about being ill may intensify with age, while others remain stable. Building strong coping methods and maintaining good health habits can help.
Is hypochondria a form of OCD?
The American Psychiatric Association views hypochondria separately from OCD, though both can involve persistent fear, seeking reassurance, and worry about needing examinations to confirm you’re not ill. Each condition has distinct features, but professional help can offer clarity.
What should you not say to a hypochondriac?
Avoid dismissive phrases like “You’re fine, just stop worrying,” as they can dismiss emotional distress. Instead, listen and offer understanding without outright denying their need for tests.
Thanks for the feedback!
- Previous Article
- Next Article