Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Jesus Rosario Hernandez, M.D. [2], Haleigh Williams, B.S., Yashasvi Aryaputra[3]
Illness anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive health-related concerns, but unlike somatic symptom disorder, somatic symptoms are either absent or mild. Illness anxiety disorder results in an individual mistaking some sort of discomfort as a serious illness.
Risk factors for the development of illness anxiety disorder include:[3]
If left untreated, illness anxiety disorder may lead to depression, panic disorder, and anxiety.[4]
Poor prognostic factors include:[3]
“ |
A. Preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness. AND B. Somatic symptoms are not present or, if present, are only mild in intensity. If another medical condition is present or there is a high risk for developing a medical condition (e.g., strong family history is present), the preoccupation is clearly excessive or disproportionate. AND C. There is a high level of anxiety about health, and the individual is easily alarmed about personal health status. AND D. The individual performs excessive health-related behaviors (e.g., repeatedly checks his or her body for signs of illness) or exhibits maladaptive avoidance (e.g., avoids doctor appointments and hospitals). AND E. Illness preoccupation has been present for at least 6 months, but the specific illness that is feared may change over that period of time. AND F. The illness-related preoccupation is not better explained by another mental disorder, such as somatic symptom disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or delusional disorder, somatic type. Specify whether:
|
” |
History includes:[6]
The laboratory test of patients with illness anxiety disorder are usually normal.
The imaging studies of patients with illness anxiety disorder are usually normal.