Anxiety From Illness, More And More Widespread

Fear of being infected, of having contracted an illness, the obsession of constantly consulting the internet to check if the discomfort experienced is a symptom of something serious … Illness anxiety disorder is growing exponentially in this last period, to the point that there are many people who feel dominated by apprehension.

Reading this description, we might think it is the classic hypochondria. Well, it should be noted that this term has ceased to be used in diagnostics since the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) of 2013.

In addition to this, it is worth noting two aspects. It is not at all easy to live with the constant fear of getting sick. This feeling, in fact, causes discomfort, fear and interferes with the person’s private and professional life, further fueling the suffering. Added to this is the difficulty in diagnosing this specific psychological condition.

When a person goes to the general practitioner reporting specific symptoms, it is quite likely that the professional focuses on these manifestations by even prescribing specific tests. Illness anxiety disorder is not always taken into account. Let’s try to deepen the topic in the next lines.

Illness Anxiety Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

In sickness anxiety disorder, two curious situations typically occur. The first is that when the person concerned goes to the doctor and is confirmed to be in good health, he is not satisfied with the diagnosis and seeks other opinions. He does not give up. Secondly, there are also those who, even though they believe they are experiencing a multitude of symptoms, do not consult the doctor out of fear, authentic panic.

“What if I am diagnosed with a serious illness? What if he told me that there is no cure for my disease? “. As you can see, these are states in which fear feeds a vicious circle. The more complex aspect is that these situations are generally chronic, meaning some people started to show the fear of getting sick during adolescence and maintain the same pattern in adulthood.

Without help, their life is severely limited ; focused only on the body, on the sensations experienced and on the search for symptoms which they will not hesitate to compare with the clinical descriptions on the internet.

It should be remembered once again that we no longer speak of hypochondria, a pejorative nuance that has been removed from the diagnostic manuals; moreover, multiple factors are now being taken into consideration. Let’s see them below.

What are the symptoms of illness anxiety disorder?

Until recently, we all called a hypochondriac the person obsessed with the fear of contracting virtually every disease in existence. But behind this behavior there is much more: emotional suffering, difficulty in carrying out daily activities, having to be preformed at work without worrying about viruses, bacteria, etc.

To make an accurate diagnosis, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) requires you to consider the following criteria:

• The patient has been in a state of constant worry that has lasted for over 6 months. His distress lies in contracting various diseases or suffering from some psychological disorders.

• He is easily alarmed by any discomfort : itchy skin, stomach pain, eye tics, throat discomfort, cough, etc.

• Despite his fears, he does not present any disease or clinical manifestations. Medical tests do not reveal any disturbances.

• People with illness anxiety disorder tend to seek medical attention frequently. But on the other hand, there are also those who do not go to the specialist for fear, avoid visits and this further intensifies the discomfort -> I think I am ill, but I do not want to go to the doctor because I am afraid he will confirm that I am.

What is the origin?

Illness anxiety disorder tends to have more than one underlying comorbid condition. That is to say that generally the person who is afraid of getting sick has more problems, more psychological disorders that can last for years.

In this sense, studies such as the one conducted by the University of Madhya Pradesh, in India, show particularly interesting results:

• Most people who go to the doctor suffer from anxiety.
• About 18% of these patients have a family history with the same clinical pathology.
• 32.1% were abused in childhood.
• 25% also suffer from depression.
• 23% suffer from some type of anxiety disorder (phobias, generalized anxiety disorder, etc.).

In other words, illness anxiety has underlying triggers and, in turn, causes further psychological disturbances.

What does the treatment consist of?

Is there a solution for people suffering from sickness anxiety? Obviously yes. However, it is necessary to rely on psychotherapy, and specifically on cognitive-behavioral therapy. This approach allows you to manage anxiety states by leaving out dysfunctional thoughts, or those that intensify the problem and suffering.

Gradually, day after day, the person learns to apply healthier reasoning, reflections and thoughts to adopt an appropriate and, therefore, more reassuring behavior, free from the fear of getting sick. Likewise, any root problems (childhood abuse, traumatic experiences, etc.) need to be treated.

Finally, anxiolytics or antidepressants (such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors) may also be prescribed, but this will be up to the doctor. In any case, the most effective therapy in this sense is always the psychological one. Let’s keep this in mind.