Every time I feel something in my body, my mind goes straight to the worst-case scenario.

Health anxiety can make even the smallest sensation in your body feel terrifying.

What is Health Anxiety?

Health anxiety, also known as Illness Anxiety Disorder, can make even the smallest sensation in your body feel terrifying. A headache turns into a fear of a brain tumor, or a stomachache feels like it must be something serious. The constant worry, endless Google searches, and repeated doctor visits can take over your life and leave you feeling exhausted, misunderstood, and afraid.

The truth is, what causes the most distress isn’t usually the symptom itself … it’s the anxiety about what it might mean. Health anxiety happens when ordinary body sensations or mild symptoms get misinterpreted as signs of serious illness.

Even when medical tests show nothing is wrong, the fear persists. You might:

Spend hours researching symptoms online (“doomscrolling” your health)
Frequently check your body for signs of illness
Seek reassurance from doctors, friends, or family but never feel fully convinced
Avoid certain activities out of fear they could make you sick
Struggle to focus on daily life because of constant worry

Health anxiety isn’t about being dramatic, it’s about living with a very real and overwhelming fear.

A woman sitting on the floor leaning against a gray sofa, with her knees up and arms crossed over her chest, appearing upset or deep in thought.

How Therapy Can Help:

Like other forms of anxiety, health anxiety is treatable. With CBT, we’ll focus on shifting the thought patterns that fuel your worry.

Together, we’ll work on:

Recognizing and reframing anxious thoughts so every ache or sensation doesn’t spiral into catastrophic fears.
Reducing compulsive behaviors like constant Googling, excessive doctor visits, or frequent self-checking.
Building healthier coping strategies to manage the uncertainty that comes with being human and living in a body.
Challenge your existing behaviors to teach your mind how you can cope with uncertainty
Restoring balance so your days aren’t dominated by fear, but guided by your goals and values.

You May Be Wondering…

Health anxiety used to be called hypochondriasis, but the term “hypochondriac” is outdated and often stigmatizing. Today, clinicians use “Illness Anxiety Disorder” or “Health Anxiety” to better reflect the experience and reduce shame.
Not at all. The physical sensations you feel are real. The difference is in how your brain interprets them, often assuming the worst-case scenario when it’s not the most likely explanation.
For some people, symptoms lessen during less stressful periods of life. But without treatment, the cycle of worry and reassurance often continues. Therapy can help you break free from that cycle for lasting relief.
Not always. Many people experience significant improvement through CBT alone. In some cases, a combination of therapy and medication (like SSRIs) may be recommended, depending on the severity of your symptoms.
That’s a common fear. Therapy won’t make you ignore real symptoms instead, it helps you respond more calmly and appropriately, so you can take care of your health without being consumed by worry.