Health Anxiety/Hypochondriasis Therapy
Illness anxiety disorder, sometimes called hypochondria or health anxiety, is worrying excessively that you are or may become seriously ill. You may have no physical symptoms. Or you may believe that normal body sensations or minor symptoms are signs of severe illness, even though a thorough medical exam doesn’t reveal a serious medical condition.
You may experience extreme anxiety that body sensations, such as muscle twitching or fatigue, are associated with a specific, serious illness. This excessive anxiety — rather than the physical symptom itself — results in severe distress that can disrupt your life.
Health Anxiety Symptoms
If you have illness anxiety disorder, you have an ongoing but unrealistic fear about being seriously ill. The specific illness(es) that you worry about often changes.
- Being preoccupied with having or getting 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
Health Anxiety Treatment
Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)is the most effective treatment for any form of anxiety, including health anxiety.
CBT focuses on our cognition, or the way we think, and our behaviours, or the way we act. CBT aims to help you overcome fears by correcting irrational thoughts and changing problematic behaviours. By acquiring a certain mindset, you can learn to approach anxious situations differently and learn to tolerate the anxiety and uncertainty.
Health Anxiety Therapy & Counselling | Hypochondria Therapy & Counselling
We are trained in Enhanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. We are also at Sehat Psychology, Beck Institute CBT Certified Clinicians that demonstrate our expertise in the most evidence-based psychotherapy treatment for health anxiety/hypochondria. You can contact us on (08) 7079 9529 or email admin@sehatpsychology.com.au to book an appointment (telehealth or face to face) with our hypochondria therapist.
Adelaide Psychologists & Therapists | Adelaide Psychology Clinic
Our experienced psychologists can help you understand your anxiety, identify problem areas and develop an action plan to change your thought processes and manage your anxiety. Learning to deal with anxiety can make a lasting difference to your quality of life.