Hypochondria treatment available online today

The exact cause of illness anxiety disorder is unknown. Some risk factors for illness anxiety disorder may include:

• Trauma, such as physical or emotional abuse

• High stress levels

• A family history of health anxiety or other mental disorders

• Serious illness in your family during childhood

• Mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression

Many people with illness anxiety disorder experience a persistent fear that they're seriously ill, based on bodily sensations (such as joint pain) or minor symptoms (such as a mild rash). Common hypochondria symptoms include:

• Experiencing a constant fear of having or developing a serious illness or medical condition

• Excessively worrying about minor symptoms or bodily sensations

• Having so much emotional distress about possible illnesses that it's difficult to function

• Feeling little reassurance from doctor visitors or negative test results

• Worrying about specific medical conditions or your risk of developing genetic conditions

• Constantly checking your body for signs of illness

• Repeatedly talking about your health anxiety and possible illnesses

Many people with health anxiety also experience co-occurring anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or panic disorder. Anxiety disorders can make this constant fear harder to let go of, even after medical tests show that nothing is wrong.

Certain activities can trigger episodes of health anxiety, including:

• Reading about disease symptoms on the internet

• Watching television

• Knowing someone with a serious medical condition

• Listening to other people talk about their health status

• Experiencing high levels of stress