What Is Illness Anxiety Disorder?Illness anxiety disorder (IAD), formerly known as hypochondriasis, is a condition marked by an excessive fear of having a serious medical condition despite having few or no symptoms. People who have IAD often go to doctors about symptoms they believe are linked to a medical problem or may believe that mild symptoms are more serious than they really are. Show While there may not be a medical illness present, the concerns that people with IAD have are very real, and the anxiety they feel can cause serious disruptions in normal daily functioning. HypochondriasisHypochondriasis, or hypochondria, was eliminated in the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Hypochondria was eliminated from the DSM-5 because the term has negative connotations and is stigmatizing. Instead, most people who would have previously been diagnosed with hypochondriasis now receive a diagnosis of illness anxiety disorder or somatic symptom disorder. However, there are some who feel that hypochondriasis should be reclassified as a phobia since it represents a specific fear. SymptomsSymptoms of illness anxiety disorder center primarily on a preoccupation with the possibility of being ill, often based on normal body functions or mild physical complaints. Common symptoms include:
DiagnosisIllness anxiety disorder is often diagnosed after physical examinations and lab tests return normal results, but the person remains preoccupied and anxious about an underlying health condition. Diagnosis of IAD is based on the person's symptoms, medical history, exam results, and accompanying mental health symptoms such as severe anxiety. Diagnosis may be complicated by the fact that people with this condition are not reassured by normal exam or lab results and, as a result, may dismiss their doctor's findings and seek another provider. In order to be diagnosed with illness anxiety disorder, an individual must exhibit the following:
Additionally, these symptoms must be present for at least six months and must not be better explained by another psychiatric condition. ComplicationsIt is easy for illness anxiety disorder to become a self-replicating cycle. Many of the physical symptoms of illness can also be caused by stress. Joint and muscle pain, sweating, nausea, and skin conditions are a few of the more common physical symptoms that people with illness anxiety disorder worry about. That worry can, in turn, cause these symptoms to worsen and cause new symptoms to develop. Illness anxiety disorder may also lead people to avoid seeking medical treatment altogether, thus jeopardizing their health. Other Similar ConditionsIllness anxiety disorder is sometimes confused with other conditions or behaviors including:
CausesThe exact causes of illness anxiety disorder are not known, but there are a number of contributing factors that may play a role in the development of this condition. Some of these factors may include:
Some research also suggests that people may have a higher risk of developing IAD if they spend a great deal of time on the internet reviewing the symptoms of different health conditions. TypesThere are two types of illness anxiety disorder: care-seeking and care-avoidant. Care-Seeking TypeSome people with illness anxiety disorder react with a need for constant reassurance. They may visit the doctor regularly despite tests showing that everything is normal. They may also frequently complain of their symptoms to friends and family members. Care-Avoidant TypeOthers with IAD react in the opposite extreme. They may avoid visiting the doctor for fear of learning bad news. They may be reluctant to share their fears with loved ones, either because they are afraid of having their fears confirmed or because they believe that they will not be taken seriously. TreatmentResearch has shown that there are treatments that can be effective for illness anxiety disorder. Treatment often depends on the nature and severity of the condition, as well as any co-occurring mental health conditions. PsychotherapyThere are different types of psychotherapy that can be useful for treating illness anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has become a popular option for treating IAD. This type of therapy helps people learn to manage the anxiety that they feel towards their physical symptoms. In turn, this can help the symptoms themselves diminish. MedicationsIn addition to therapy, medication may be prescribed. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a type of medication that can help to treat illness anxiety disorder. These drugs are generally known as antidepressants and work by affecting the levels of serotonin in the brain. Examples include Zoloft (sertraline), Paxil (paroxetine) and Prozac (fluoxetine). CopingIn addition to professional treatment for the condition, there are a number of self-help strategies that people might find helpful for reducing feelings of illness anxiety disorder:
A Word From VerywellIf you constantly worry about physical symptoms, it is important that you seek treatment. It is generally best to visit your family doctor first in order to rule out any possible medical cause for your symptoms. If your doctor does not find an illness, then the next step is to seek help from a mental health professional. Untreated illness anxiety disorder can eventually cause you to limit your life activities due to your fears. With treatment, however, you can get your symptoms under control and move on with your daily life. Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
By Lisa Fritscher Thanks for your feedback! Is anxiety a illness or disorder?Anxiety disorders are the most common of mental disorders and affect nearly 30% of adults at some point in their lives. But anxiety disorders are treatable and a number of effective treatments are available. Treatment helps most people lead normal productive lives.
Is illness anxiety disorder OCD?Illness Anxiety Disorder is a form of OCD, a brain disorder that can cause fear of illness and repeated washing, compulsive cleaning, obsessions about harming others, anxiety, and depression.
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