Illness Anxiety Disorder:

Illness Anxiety Disorder:

Illness Anxiety Disorder (IAD) — formerly known as hypochondriasis — is a mental health condition characterized by excessive worry about having or developing a serious illness, despite having little or no medical evidence to support the concern.

Key Features of Illness Anxiety Disorder:

Preoccupation with Health: Persistent fear or belief that one is seriously ill.

Minimal Symptoms: If symptoms are present, they are mild. Often, normal bodily sensations (e.g., heartbeat, minor aches) are interpreted as signs of severe illness.

Health-Related Behaviors:

  • Frequently checking the body for signs of illness.
  • Repeated visits to doctors or, conversely, avoiding doctors altogether out of fear.
  • Seeking excessive reassurance from others.

Distress and Impairment: The anxiety interferes with daily functioning, relationships, or work life.

Duration: The condition usually persists for at least 6 months, though the feared illness may change over time.

Diagnostic Criteria (per DSM-5):

  • Preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness.
  • Somatic symptoms are not present, or if present, are mild.
  • High level of anxiety about health.
  • Excessive health-related behaviors or maladaptive avoidance.
  • Not better explained by another mental disorder.

Subtypes:

  • Care-Seeking Type: Frequent use of medical services.
  • Care-Avoidant Type: Avoidance of medical care despite health worries.

Causes and Contributing Factors:

  • History of serious illness in childhood.
  • Family history of health anxiety or actual illness.
  • Personality traits like neuroticism.
  • Stress or trauma.
  • Cognitive distortions (e.g., catastrophizing).

Treatment:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Most effective. Helps change health-related thoughts and behaviors.

Medication: CONSULT A PSYCHIATRIST.

Psychoeducation: Teaching about the nature of the disorder.

Mindfulness-Based Therapies: Help with anxiety management and body awareness without judgment.

Differentiation:

  • Not the same as Somatic Symptom Disorder (which involves distressing physical symptoms).
  • Not malingering or factitious disorder, where symptoms are consciously faked for gain.

Shervan K Shahhian