Health anxiety (illness anxiety)

Overview

Normal body sensations can feel like signs of disease.

Searching symptoms online often makes worry worse, not better.

Symptoms

Common signs:

• Constant worry about illness
• Constant worry about having a serious illness

Less common

• Checking the body
• Seeking reassurance

When to get medical care

Causes

Anxiety, stress, past illness.

Does it spread or run in families?

• It isn't contagious. You can't catch it from someone else.

Who is more likely to get it

• Anxiety
• Serious illness in the family

Possible complications

• Anxiety

Diagnosis

A clinician talks with you and does a sensible checkup.

Questions you may be asked

• What you worry about
• Checking habits

Treatment

Break the worry cycle.

Self-care

• Set limits on symptom searching
• Schedule regular checkups instead of extra visits
• Notice and delay body checking
• Exercise, sleep, and limit caffeine

Medicines

Medicines that may help:

OwieClear doesn't give doses: follow the label or your healthcare professional. Medicine names here are examples, not a full list.

CBT is the top treatment.

Which doctor treats this

• Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
• They may send you to a psychiatrist (for medicine) and a psychologist or licensed therapist (for talk therapy).

Living with it

• Keep a regular sleep, meal, and activity routine.
• Tell one trusted person how you're doing, and plan who to call on hard days.
• Limit alcohol and drugs. They often make symptoms worse.
• In a crisis, call or text 988 any time.
• Long-term illness can affect mood. Tell your doctor if you feel down or anxious.

Support groups and helplines

• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): Free support groups and a helpline (1-800-950-6264) for people and families.
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 any time for free, private support in a crisis.

Back to school, work, or sports

• Most people can keep working or going to school.
• Ask about changes that help, like extra breaks or a flexible schedule. Workers may be covered by the ADA. Students may get a 504 plan.
• The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) may let you take unpaid time off for treatment without losing your job.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• Many mental health medicines are used safely in pregnancy. Stopping suddenly can cause a relapse.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Mood problems can start during or after pregnancy. Postpartum Support International: 1-800-944-4773.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

For caregivers

• Listen without judging, and let them know you care.
• Encourage treatment, but don't force it unless they're in danger.
• If they talk about suicide, call or text 988 with them.
• Take breaks and ask for help. Caregivers need care too.

Outlook

Treatable.

Getting ready for your visit

Bring a list of your symptoms and medicines.

Questions to ask

• Would CBT help me?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Health anxiety (illness anxiety)