Illness Anxiety Disorder
(Health Anxiety)
Treatment for Health Anxiety in Tampa, Fl.
Do you constantly worry that you’re getting sick? Are you preoccupied with thoughts about having a serious illness or disease? Do you focus on minor symptoms or bodily sensations and wonder what’s wrong? In general, are you easily alarmed by health concerns and are noticing that you are struggling to take your mind off of your health? Illness anxiety disorder, commonly known as health anxiety or hypochondria, affects both men and women and can cause significant impairment in daily functioning. If you’ve ever been called a hypochondriac and you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, then you may benefit from treatment for health anxiety in Tampa Bay. Our therapists at Anxiety Center of Tampa specialize in providing treatment for overcoming illness anxiety disorder.
What is Illness Anxiety Disorder?
Illness anxiety, often referred to as health anxiety or hypochondria, is the chronic fear of having a serious medical condition. Those suffering from health anxiety in Tampa Bay usually pay excessive attention to their health and are easily triggered by physical sensations that may be normal. They may also be known to “doctor hop” or visit the emergency room or urgent care often seeking a medical evaluation or answers to their perceived medical concerns. Illness anxiety is an OCD-related disorder due to the persons obsessive nature regarding their health and their need to compulsively relieve the anxiety triggered from the health obsessions.
Sometimes, people with illness anxiety disorder report having had a serious illness in the past or being sick as child, however, the threat of that illness is no longer active. Family members or support persons may also contribute to the reinforcement of illness anxiety as the person may be unconsciously motivated by attention or relief from responsibilities. With illness anxiety, there is not a deliberate faking of illness. The person with illness anxiety genuinely believes there is something wrong with them and that their health is compromised or in danger.
Symptoms of Illness Anxiety Disorder
According to the DSM-V, the diagnostic criteria for Illness Anxiety Disorder is as follows:
Preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness.
Somatic symptoms are not present or, if present, are only mind in intensity. If another medical condition is present or there is a high risk for developing a medical condition (ex. strong family history is present), the preoccupation is clearly excessive or disproportionate.
There is a high level of anxiety about health and the individual is easily alarmed about personal health status.
The individual performs excessive health-related behaviors (ex. repeatedly check his or body for signs of illness) or exhibits maladaptive avoidance (ex. avoids doctors appointments or hospitals.
Illness preoccupation has been present for at least 6 months, but the specific illness that is feared may change over that period of time.
The illness-related preoccupation is not better explained by another mental disorder, such as somatic symptom disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or delusional disorder, somatic type.
How do I know I have illness anxiety disorder?
Important things to look for if you’re wondering whether you or a loved one is struggling with health anxiety are reassurance seeking and body checking. It is very common for those with illness anxiety to seek reassurance from loved ones, doctors, or the internet. Those with illness anxiety may often ask questions like:
“Do you think I’m going to be okay?”
“What do you think this is?”
“Do you think I should go to the doctor for this?”
“Have you ever felt this before?”
Regardless of the answer their given, it will never be enough. Someone with illness anxiety may feel temporary relief from the reassurance they are given, however, it will not last. They will eventually either ask again, ask a different person, or go to a doctor. However, even asking a doctor will usually not be enough. It is common to go to different doctors with the hope of getting a clean bill of health but even, those with illness anxiety will doubt their doctor and wonder if the doctor missed something or if they should go to a specialist.
It is also very common for those with health anxiety to engage in compulsive behaviors to alleviate their health-related anxiety. They may:
Check for lumps or spots
Test their breathing
Monitor heart rate
Measure their blood pressure
Take their temperature
Google their symptoms
Read through prognosis or treatments
Taking precautions to prevent illness
It is important to note that someone can actually be sick and also have health anxiety. Health anxiety is not about whether or not someone is sick. It is about the debilitating anxiety they experience from the fear of getting sick.
Start Treatment for Health Anxiety
in Tampa, Florida
Our anxiety therapists at Anxiety Center of Tampa are specialized in providing treatment for anxiety disorders. All the clients seen at our practice have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, therefore, beginning treatment with us gives you the opportunity to start the evidenced-based treatment necessary for the treatment of anxiety. While many therapists can provide CBT, only a few in the Tampa Bay Area are trained to provide the crucial ERP component. Treatment is highly individualized at our practice. Your schedule, length of session, and frequency are considered when creating your treatment schedule. At your intake session, you and your therapist will discuss your needs and obstacles to treatment to set you up for success. Call Anxiety Center of Tampa at 813-773-5807 for more information or to schedule your appointment today. You can also contact us through email via our contact page. Here are the easy steps to so that you can get your life back on track:
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Other Anxiety Related Disorders Treated at Anxiety Center of Tampa