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:

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

2. 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.

3. 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.

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

5. 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:

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

2. Medication: CONSULT A PSYCHIATRIST

3. Psychoeducation: Teaching about the nature of the disorder.

4. 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