Learn about Health Anxiety.
Move Beyond the Search for Certainty.
You’ve tried the doctor visits, the late-night research, and the constant body checks but the relief never lasts. Health Anxiety 101 isn't about finding more "answers." It’s about building the foundation to live fully, even when your mind is shouting "what if?"
What is Health Anxiety?
If you're reading this, there's a good chance you're already familiar with the overwhelming, constant worry about your health. Health anxiety isn't just about being "worried" from time to time. It’s a deep, pervasive fear that takes hold of your thoughts and disrupts your daily life. It can feel as though your mind is hijacked by fears of illness, even when everything looks fine on the outside. Check out some of the common experiences that we see with Health Anxiety below!
Your mind constantly jumps to the worst-case scenario
You spend hours researching symptoms online
Doctor visits bring only temporary relief, if any relief
You’re hyper-aware of every sensation in your body
You struggle to trust answers from doctors and loved ones
Your anxiety affects your daily life and relationships
People can also have experiences that are similar to Health Anxiety such as:
"Symptom-Focused" concerns:
Emetophobia (fear of throwing up), Panic Attacks, Sensorimotor OCD, Fear of Allergic Reactions, OCD with Health Obsessions, ARFID, Social Anxiety, Anxiety Sensitivity, Tic Disorders, BFRBs often have a significant focus / hypervigilance on our symptoms.Â
Coping with health concerns:
Being diagnosed with Migraines, Epilepsy, POTS, Vasovagal Responses, Palpitations, IBS, Functional Dyspepsia, Nausea, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Thyroid Disorders, Chronic Pain, CRPS, or Long Covid where coping with a diagnosed health condition can create significant anxiety.
How can I tell the difference between a real medical symptom and anxiety?
Why does my anxiety get worse after a "clean" doctor’s visit?
Can health anxiety actually cause physical symptoms like pain or tingling?
If This Sounds Familiar, You’re Not Alone
Health anxiety can make you feel isolated, misunderstood, and trapped in a constant cycle of worry. But you're not alone. So many people experience these same symptoms—feeling overwhelmed by constant fear and doubt, struggling to trust their own bodies, and often feeling powerless in the face of their anxiety.
The good news? Health anxiety is treatable. By recognizing these patterns and understanding how they work, you can begin to take steps toward breaking the cycle. You can regain control over your thoughts and behaviors, reduce the hold anxiety has over you, and start living a more peaceful life.
Learn More in The Resource Center