Illness Anxiety Disorder: Information, Symptoms, Treatment and More

Illness Anxiety Disorder is a mental health condition that is characterised by an individual excessively worrying about having a serious illness.

There are various reasons why someone may believe they have an illness, and their feelings will persist even after a Doctor has assured the individual that their symptoms aren’t serious enough to warrant undue fear.

The appearance of any symptom, even minor ones, result in excessive worry. This can cause significant distress, and will interrupt the day-to-day life of the individual to the extent where worry takes over their life.

Treatment is available, and in many cases will result in recovery. Illness Anxiety Disorder is classed as a Somatic Disorder. The condition used to be known as Hypochondriasis, with its sufferers known as hypochondriacs.

What are the symptoms of Illness Anxiety Disorder?

The symptoms of Illness Anxiety Disorder tend to be focused on excessive worry about overall health and any symptom that appears. The exact symptoms can range slightly from person-to-person.

Symptoms should last at least six months for Illness Anxiety Disorder to be considered as being present.   

Symptoms are mainly psychological, but some physical symptoms can also be present. Physical symptoms should be mild, or directly caused by feelings of anxiety.

If the physical symptoms are moderate or severe, Somatic Symptom Disorder would be a more relevant diagnosis.

Psychological symptoms

• Intense feelings of anxiety about having an illness
• Constantly worry about overall health
• Excessively worried about new bodily sensations
• Often check body for any sign of illness
• Requiring regular reassurance from others that their symptoms aren’t serious
• Feelings of helplessness
• Research the disorder they believe they have extensively
• Believe others don’t take their symptoms seriously enough
• Feelings of intense stress
• Avoid activities out of fear of worsening supposed poor health

Physical symptoms

• Fatigue
• Weight loss due to low appetite
• Muscle tension
• Dizziness
• Rapid heartbeat

These symptoms will typically affect the behaviour of an individual. They may frequently visit their Doctor, or be so afraid of catching an illness that they spend most of their time alone in their room.

This can result in intense feelings of anxiety and low mood. Therefore, Illness Anxiety Disorder often runs comorbidly with other mental health conditions such as Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Anxiety.

The symptoms listed above will persist even after reassurances from health professionals that no serious condition is present. Illness Anxiety Disorder can be chronic. This is not an exhaustive list of symptoms.

What are the causes of Illness Anxiety Disorder?

It isn’t entirely known what causes Illness Anxiety Disorder. It appears that multiple factors may be involved in the onset of this condition.

Someone who develops Illness Anxiety Disorder may be undergoing a period of extreme stress. Worrying excessively about symptoms may be an unexpected reaction by the body.

Another environmental factor is a death or serious injury in the life of a person. Something like this can lead to people re-evaluating their life and they may naturally become afraid of their own potential death, and pay more attention to symptoms – which may get out of control.

Having overprotective parents that showed a lot of attention to any minor ill health may be a contributory factor. Anxiety symptoms can run in families – suggesting genetics may be involved.

Those who research symptoms on the internet can also be at risk of developing Illness Anxiety Disorder – as they believe their symptoms match those of a number of conditions.

Similarly, pandemics covered in the media can make many people afraid of developing an illness, leading to extreme behaviour. As with other mental health conditions, any form of trauma can trigger the onset of the condition.

Diagnosis of Illness Anxiety Disorder

It is important for anyone who believes they are suffering from Illness Anxiety Disorder, or any other condition, to see a Doctor or mental health professional.

It will often be up to a family member or close friend to instigate treatment – as the affected individual will seldom realise their concerns are abnormal. Alternatively, a Doctor may tell a patient they suspect Illness Anxiety Disorder is present.

A good starting point is to see a Doctor. At an appointment, a Doctor will attempt to gain an understanding of an individual’s symptoms, and the effect they are having on their life.

A range of medical tests or other laboratory tests may be carried out in an attempt to find the cause of the symptoms. When these tests come back clear, it should reassure the patient, but it is unlikely to take all of their doubts away.

In cases where no physical health conditions are present, Illness Anxiety Disorder may be diagnosed. In terms of the actual symptoms, for Illness Anxiety Disorder to be diagnosed, a patient will satisfy the following criteria:

• Having a preoccupation with the belief that the individual has, or will develop, a serious illness.
• These feelings cause distress to the individual
• The individual often monitors themselves for any signs of illness – spending significant amount of time on this.
• Physical symptoms are minimal, and if present, have been caused by anxiety.
• In instances where a medical condition is present, the individual’s concern is out of proportion to the situation
• These feelings and behaviour have been present for at least six months
• The behaviour isn’t better explained by a different mental health condition

It is possible that an alternative diagnosis will be made. Somatic Symptom Disorder, an Anxiety-based disorder, or a different condition may be diagnosed, if the symptoms merit this.

How is Illness Anxiety Disorder treated?

Treatment is available for Illness Anxiety Disorder. Recovery is a possibility, while at the very least, the impact of symptoms should be lessened.

Treatment typically involves talking therapy, and if the symptoms require, antidepressants. Some self-help can also help.

Self help

There are certain things that someone with Illness Anxiety Disorder can do that may result in an improvement in their symptoms. Doing regular breathing exercises can lessen anxiety, as can other relaxation techniques.

Ensuring a day is full of many activities to do can lessen the chance of the mind wandering to health-related thoughts. Some people find it helpful to write down their intrusive thoughts – such as occasions where they jump to the conclusion that something rather minor is something much more sinister.

Like with any other medical conditions, regular exercise and a healthy diet can be beneficial.

Talking Therapy

Talking Therapy is also commonly used for treating Illness Anxiety Disorder. There are a few different forms of therapy that can help, with the exact circumstances of each case dictating which type of therapy is used.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of therapy that is used to treat a range of mental health conditions. CBT involves an individual talking face-to-face with a therapist, although sometimes CBT can be conducted in a group setting. CBT attempts to improve an individual’s wellbeing and mood. The therapy focuses on the link between thoughts, feelings and actions. This can be useful for those with low self-esteem, anxiety, unhelpful personality traits or intrusive thoughts. CBT can help an individual understand their feelings more, and in the long run should lead to an improvement in quality of life.

Exposure Therapy: Exposure Therapy – also known as Desensitisation – is commonly used for cases that involve either traumas or phobias. This type of therapy involves an individual being gradually exposed to their fear/trauma. A therapist can help set up a program for this. Over time, the individual will gradually become accustomed to their problem – though this takes time. The eventual aim is to overcome the problem. Relaxation methods may also be taught as part of this therapy.

Cognitive Analytical Therapy (CAT): Cognitive Analytical Therapy provides a form of therapy that combines cognitive and psychoanalytic approaches to mental health. The aim is to instil techniques into an individual that should help improve the symptoms of their condition. There is a very strong focus on the relationship between therapist and client in this type of therapy.

There are a multitude of other types of talking therapies available. Moreover, there are many ways that talking therapy can help. You can find out more in our Therapy section.

Medication

It is quite common in Illness Anxiety Disorder for someone to exhibit extreme anxiety or low mood. When this is the case, sometimes medication can be prescribed to lessen the severity of symptoms.

Antidepressants: Antidepressants can help to improve and regulate mood. They should improve motivation and restore energy. SSRI Antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed. They act on the brain chemical serotonin – which is thought to help in regulating mood and emotion. They may include side-effects such as a dry mouth, sexual problems and nausea, though these should hopefully be short-term. Other classes of antidepressants are available in the event of an inadequate reaction.

Summary

It is important for anyone that suspects they have Illness Anxiety Disorder to get treatment. The aim is for a person to greatly improve both their physical and mental health.

If you need further information, there is a lot of information across our website to assist you.

See Also

• Somatic Disorders Section
• What is the Prognosis for Somatic Disorders?
• Therapy Homepage
• Medicine Homepage