Hypochondria and Illness Anxiety Disorder

Your pain is an opportunity for you to learn about yourself.

— Gary Zukav

One of the most frustrating things about suffering from Hypochondria or Illness Anxiety Disorder is the feeling that you know your fears of illness are irrational but they still seem to dominate your thoughts. Non-stop worrying about illnesses and frequent visits to the doctor can be exhausting, time-consuming and sometimes debilitating.

You may find yourself continuously searching the Internet for information, demanding lab tests from irritated doctors, and talking relentlessly about your fears of being sick. Although people suffering from Hypochondria or Illness Anxiety Disorder may think that Internet research or lab tests will reassure them, it’s never enough. The key is to break the cycle of worrying and checking and to deal with the root causes of Hypochondria.

In our experience, Illness Anxiety Disorder is often the result of unprocessed grief and trauma. As we help guide you into dealing with the underlying causes of your hypochondria. As a result, we can help free you from the endless cycle of worry and fear so you can get your life back.

Symptoms of Illness Anxiety Disorder (Formerly Hypochondria)

The DSM-5 no longer includes hypochondriasis (hypochondria) as a diagnosis. Instead, people may be classified under Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders as having Illness Anxiety Disorder, especially if there are no physical symptoms or they’re mild.

These points are emphasized in the diagnosis of Illness Anxiety Disorder (signs and symptoms):

Preoccupation with having or acquiring/getting a serious illness.
Somatic/physical symptoms are not present; if present, are only mild in intensity.
If another medical condition is present or there is a high risk for developing a medical condition (e.g., strong family history), the preoccupation is clearly excessive or disproportionate [Excessive anxiety signals a much greater threat than actually exists and results in severe distress that can be disabling].
There is a high level of anxiety about health, and then you are easily alarmed about personal health status [You believe that normal body sensations (such as a noisy stomach) or minor symptoms (such as a minor rash) are signs of severe illness, even though a thorough medical exam doesn’t reveal a serious medical condition].
You perform excessive health-related behaviors (e.g., as repeatedly checking your body for signs of illness) or exhibit maladaptive avoidance (e.g., avoiding doctors appointments and hospitals).
Your illness preoccupation:
- has been present/lasted for at least six months, even though the specific illness you fear may change during that time.
- is not better explained by another mental disorder, such as somatic symptom disorder, panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder.
Specified by “care-seeking type” (medical care, including physician visits or undergoing tests and procedures, is frequently used) or “care-avoidant type” (medical care is rarely used).

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Factors and Causes of Hypochondria and Illness Anxiety Disorder

Environmental (Beliefs) – You may not understand the meaning of body sensations or you have a poor understanding of diseases or both. This could lead you to think that all body sensations are serious, so you search for evidence to confirm that you have a serious disease. There is also a belief that excessive worrying can frustrate others so emotions are often repressed or you have a poor ability to express them. In other words, you may be more likely to have health anxiety if you had parents who worried too much about their own health or your health (relationship or family problems occur because excessive worrying can frustrate others). Also, work-related performance problems or excessive absences increase.
Psychological (Past Negative Experiences & Temperament) – You may have had experience with serious illness, bullying, or abuse in childhood so physical sensations are frightening to you. There may have been a general time of major life stress or loss. This is including the amount and severity of trauma you’ve gone through since early childhood. Personality aspects, often called your temperament (your risk may increase if you’re more sensitive, more inhibited or more negative than the norm) can also be affected. For example, children who are shy, timid, withdrawn or restrained when facing new situations or people may be at greater risk.
Other Complications – Problems functioning in daily life, possibly even resulting in disability; Financial problems due to too many health care visits; Having another mental health disorder, such as anxiety or depression.