What Is Health Anxiety?
It’s normal to notice changes in your body or worry about your health from time to time. Health anxiety occurs when concerns about having or developing a serious illness become persistent, difficult to control, and begin interfering with everyday life—even after appropriate medical evaluation or reassurance.
Health anxiety can affect anyone. Many people experience repeated worries about normal bodily sensations, spend time researching symptoms online, or seek frequent reassurance from healthcare providers or loved ones.
Importantly, the physical symptoms are often very real. Anxiety can contribute to symptoms such as a racing heart, chest tightness, dizziness, headaches, nausea, stomach discomfort, muscle tension, tingling, sweating, or shortness of breath. These symptoms may increase worry and create a cycle where anxiety leads to more physical sensations, which then reinforce health-related fears.
When left untreated, health anxiety can affect work, relationships, sleep, daily functioning, and overall quality of life. The good news is that effective, evidence-based treatment is available.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Health Anxiety
Health anxiety looks different for everyone, but common symptoms may include:
Persistent worry about having or developing a serious illness
Frequently checking your body for signs of disease
Repeatedly searching symptoms online (“cyberchondria”)
Difficulty feeling reassured after normal medical tests or examinations
Frequently seeking reassurance from family, friends, or healthcare providers
Feeling distressed by normal bodily sensations
Avoiding activities because of concerns about becoming ill
Spending significant time thinking about your health
Difficulty concentrating because of health-related worries
Anxiety that interferes with work, relationships, or daily responsibilities
These symptoms can overlap with other anxiety disorders or medical conditions. A comprehensive evaluation can help determine what may be contributing to your symptoms.
