When you or someone close to you becomes unwell, it’s quite natural to feel a certain level of anxiety, but if uncontrolled, it can go too far, to the point where the anxiety and tension that is generated can itself become a cause of health issues.
The term for this is “health anxiety”, and surveys in many societies have shown that it affects around 5% of the general population. It’s becoming a recognized condition that is driving noticeable long-term trends, with increased morbidity and sickness absence in the general community. People trying to cope with excessive health anxiety are more frequently visitors to doctors’ waiting rooms and hospital outpatient clinics, need more referrals for further investigation and are using more health resources than the average population. What’s making the situation more concerning is that excessive anxiety can complicate the diagnosis and treatment of underlying health problems.
What is health anxiety?
Health anxiety symptoms go beyond everyday concern about illness. Normal health worry tends to appear when something feels wrong and then settle down once reassurance is received. Health anxiety, by contrast, is marked by persistent fear that does not ease, even after tests or professional reassurance.
Many people become stuck in “what if” thinking. A minor sensation, such as a headache or stomach discomfort, can trigger a chain of fearful thoughts about serious illness. These thoughts often feel urgent and convincing, making it hard to step back or feel settled.
Clinically, health anxiety can fall under several recognized categories, including the classification in the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) of illness anxiety disorder and somatic symptom disorder. These terms describe different ways health worry can take hold. For example, one person may have very few physical symptoms but intense fear of disease, while another may experience real sensations that become overwhelming due to fear and focus.
The purpose of this article is to raise awareness of this growing situation, not to offer a diagnosis or suggest any treatment. Only a qualified healthcare professional can assess whether a person’s symptoms meet the clinical criteria.
How health anxiety shows up
Health anxiety signs often follow recognizable patterns that repeat over time. These may include:
- Worry that returns quickly after reassurance from a doctor or test result
- Repeated checking or rereading of medical reports and lab values
- Frequent appointments with doctors, clinics, or pharmacists
- Physical sensations that feel stronger or more alarming when fear increases
Modern tools can unintentionally make this worse. Constant online searching for symptoms, sometimes called cyberchondria, can expose people to worst-case scenarios that feel personally relevant, even when they are rare or unlikely.
Why health anxiety is often missed
One reason health anxiety is overlooked is that it can exist alongside real medical conditions. A person may genuinely have a chronic illness, while also experiencing health worry patterns that amplify fear far beyond what the situation requires.
Another challenge is reassurance-seeking. Frequent medical visits can give the impression that all reasonable steps have been taken. Yet the anxiety itself remains, creating a cycle where reassurance provides only brief relief before fear returns.
Warning signs to look out for
Certain patterns suggest that health anxiety may be becoming a larger problem:
- Comfort fades quickly, even after clear reassurance
- Worry interferes with work, relationships, or daily routines
- Activities are avoided due to fear of symptoms or illness
- Online symptom searching becomes frequent or compulsive
These signs do not mean something is “wrong” with a person. They point to a pattern that may benefit from support and understanding.
Drawing a line between anxiety and depression 
Hearing a diagnosis that you or a family member has an identifiable health issue can give rise to both anxiety about the outcome, and a feeling of depression because normal life is going to be disrupted. Many of the outward signs of anxiety and depression are the same, but there are deep and fundamental differences, and dealing with either condition requires different approaches.
Anxiety and depression are closely related but not the same. Anxiety tends to involve a state of high alert, with persistent worry, tension, and fear about what might happen. Thoughts often focus on worst-case outcomes and future threats.
Depression, on the other hand, is more often linked to low mood, reduced energy, and loss of interest. People may feel slowed down, hopeless, or disconnected rather than keyed up or restless.
It is also common for both conditions to occur together. Ongoing anxiety can wear a person down over time, while depression can increase worry about coping with daily life. Because the approaches to support can differ, professional guidance is important when symptoms overlap.
Finding ways to respond to health anxiety
There’s no single solution to a multi-faceted problem like deep anxiety. Hopefully, some or all of the following simple steps can help to make a person feel a bit more confident and lower the overall level of fear.
- Keeping a worry journal to notice repeated themes and triggers
- Setting limits on online symptom searching
- Relying on established, reliable medical sources
- Bringing concerns to a trusted healthcare professional
- Asking about long-term strategies rather than repeated testing
When and how to get support
Extra support may be helpful when:
- Health worry begins to take over daily life
- Reassurance never seems to last
- Anxiety affects sleep, mood, or routines
In these situations, speaking with a knowledgeable healthcare professional can make a difference. Doctors, pharmacists, and therapists can help identify patterns and suggest appropriate next steps.
Help is right in front of you. Many people who live with chronic conditions find their anxiety increases when managing multiple medications or long-term health plans. IsraelPharm aims to help reduce some of that stress by offering clear information, transparent pricing, and reliable delivery for many commonly prescribed medications, helping readers feel more in control of their ongoing care.
Takeaway: You’re not alone
- Health anxiety is common
- Recognizing the pattern is an important first step
- Clear information and compassion matter
- Support is available when worry feels overwhelming
Frequently asked questions about health anxiety
What are common health anxiety symptoms?
Health anxiety symptoms often include persistent worry about illness, repeated checking of the body, and fear that does not settle after reassurance. Physical sensations may feel stronger because attention is constantly focused on them. These symptoms can come and go, but they often follow familiar patterns over time.
How is illness anxiety different from normal worry?
Normal health worry usually appears in response to a real concern and fades once reassurance is received. Illness anxiety disorder involves ongoing fear of serious illness, even when tests and evaluations are normal. The worry tends to return quickly and can interfere with daily life.
Can health anxiety exist with real medical conditions?
Yes. Many people with genuine health conditions also experience health anxiety. The presence of a real diagnosis does not prevent anxiety from becoming excessive. In fact, uncertainty and symptom monitoring can sometimes increase fear rather than reduce it.
Why does reassurance not last for people with health anxiety?
Reassurance often focuses on the immediate fear, not the underlying pattern of worry. Once the sense of relief fades, new concerns may appear. This creates a cycle where reassurance provides short-term comfort but does not address the long-term anxiety.
What role does cyberchondria play in health anxiety?
Cyberchondria refers to repeated online symptom searching. While information can be helpful, uncontrolled searching often leads to alarming possibilities that feel personally relevant. This can intensify fear and make it harder to feel reassured.
When should someone consider seeking help for managing health anxiety?
Support may be helpful when worry disrupts sleep, work, or relationships, or when fear remains despite repeated reassurance. Healthcare professionals can help identify patterns and guide next steps in managing health anxiety safely and appropriately.
