Health Anxiety

Health anxiety refers to the experience of thinking that there may be a threat to your health, which consequently triggers your anxiety response. Health concerns can become a problem when they are excessive; are out of proportion to the realistic likelihood of having an actual and serious medical problem; are persistent despite negative test results and/or reassurance from your health practitioner; lead to unhelpful behaviours such as excessive checking, reassurance seeking (e.g., from doctors; family or friends), or avoidance (e.g., of check-ups, doctors, health-related information); and, cause you significant distress, or impair your ability to go about your day-to-day life. If concern about your health is affecting your ability to enjoy your everyday life work towards reducing this anxiety so that you can live your life more fully.