Hypochondriasis/Health Anxiety

~ Resource and Assistance for Health Anxiety

Illness anxiety disorder — most commonly known as hypochondriasis — is characterized by a persistent, intense fear of having a serious medical condition despite normal medical assessments. Typical body discomforts are often misattributed to severe disease: a headache becomes a brain tumor, a stomach ache becomes cancer. One of the major consequences of health anxiety is spending excessive time and money on hospital visits and medical tests to seek reassurance.

~ An OCD-Spectrum Condition

Health anxiety is now widely recognized as closely related to OCD. The cycle is the same: an intrusive thought ("what if I have cancer?") triggers anxiety, which drives compulsive reassurance-seeking (Googling symptoms, visiting doctors, checking one's body), which provides only temporary relief before the doubts return. Modern research has found highly effective behavioral treatments that break this cycle.

Physical symptoms without medical explanation make up 15–30% of primary care appointments.

~ Treatment Outcome

Health anxiety responds very well to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Treatment involves gradually reducing checking and reassurance-seeking behaviors while learning to tolerate uncertainty about health. Many patients experience significant relief within weeks of beginning specialized treatment.

Dr. Henry Srednicki provides expert, compassionate care for health anxiety and OCD-spectrum conditions. With offices in Upper Montclair, NJ and New York City, and telehealth across 42+ states through PSYPACT, help is accessible wherever you are.