Health Anxiety
Health anxiety, also referred to as illness anxiety disorder or hypochondriasis in older terminology. This is characterised by an excessive and persistent worry about having or developing a serious medical condition. Individuals with health anxiety often misinterpret normal bodily sensations—such as heart palpitations, muscle twitching, or stomach discomfort. As signs of life-threatening illness, even after medical tests and reassurances show no significant findings. This condition goes beyond occasional health concerns; it becomes a pattern of distress that significantly interferes with daily life.
People with this condition typically engage in repeated health-related behaviours such as checking their body for signs of illness. Excessively researching symptoms online, or frequently visiting doctors and clinics for reassurance. Ironically, while these behaviours are intended to reduce anxiety, they often reinforce the cycle of worry. For some, the opposite occurs—medical settings and conversations about illness are avoided entirely due to fear.
Health Anxiety
Health anxiety is not simply a form of attention-seeking or exaggeration. It is a recognised mental health disorder that often coexists with other conditions such as generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It can stem from a variety of factors including past illness experiences (either personal or within the family), exposure to health scares in the media, or a predisposition to anxiety and catastrophic thinking.
Symptoms of this anxiety can include preoccupation with a specific disease (such as cancer or heart disease), frequent self-examinations, checking medical websites excessively, and seeking constant reassurance from others. This anxiety may persist despite negative medical test results or professional advice. Individuals may describe a persistent feeling that something is “not quite right,” or worry that a diagnosis has been missed.
Over time, health anxiety can impair relationships, work performance, and social engagement. It can also lead to overuse of healthcare resources, placing additional strain on both the individual and the medical system. Importantly, the distress is real—even when no medical explanation exists—and the emotional toll can be profound.
[Next: Causes of Health Anxiety →]
