

Being easily alarmed about your health status.Worrying that minor symptoms or body sensations mean you have a serious illness.Being preoccupied with having or getting a serious disease or health condition.Symptoms of illness anxiety disorder involve preoccupation with the idea that you're seriously ill, based on normal body sensations (such as a noisy stomach) or minor signs (such as a minor rash).

On the other hand, somatic symptom disorder - a related disorder - involves focusing on the disabling nature of physical symptoms, such as pain or dizziness, without the worry that these symptoms represent a specific illness. Instead, people previously diagnosed with hypochondriasis may be diagnosed as having illness anxiety disorder, in which the focus of the fear and worry is on uncomfortable or unusual physical sensations being an indication of a serious medical condition.
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The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association, no longer includes hypochondriasis - also called hypochondria - as a diagnosis. But psychological counseling (psychotherapy) and sometimes medication can help ease your worries. It may increase with age or during times of stress. Illness anxiety disorder is a long-term condition that can fluctuate in severity. This excessive anxiety - rather than the physical symptom itself - results in severe distress that can disrupt your life. You might find it hard to explain to people why you feel this way, but talking to someone could help you find a solution.įind out more about the 5 steps to mental wellbeing.You may experience extreme anxiety that body sensations, such as muscle twitching or fatigue, are associated with a specific, serious illness.
