Contemporary psychological knowledge and insights about health anxiety
Health anxiety can be a lonely experience. Many people keep it to themselves, worried they’ll be judged or dismissed. Others talk about it constantly, unintentionally turning friends and family into “reassurance machines.”
The goal isn’t to stay silent or to share every worry — it’s to have helpful conversations that support your recovery. Here’s how.
When you’re feeling anxious about your health, reassurance feels like the most natural thing to seek. You might ask a partner to check your pulse, call your GP for the third time this month, or text a friend:
“Do you think this is serious?”
And in the moment, it works — you feel calmer.
When you notice a new sensation in your body — a twinge, a rash, a strange heartbeat — it’s tempting to grab your phone and ask Google Doctor what’s wrong.
And in a way, it feels responsible: you’re gathering information, you’re trying to protect yourself.
But if you struggle with health anxiety, this habit can actually keep you stuck — or make things worse. Here’s why, and what you can do differently.
Health anxiety is one of the most common concerns people bring to therapy.
It’s often described as a constant preoccupation with physical sensations or fears of serious illness — but it’s important to understand that this isn’t a “disorder” that you’re stuck with forever.