illness anxiety disorder
noun
plural illness anxiety disorders
: excessive concern and worry over a prolonged period of time about having or getting a serious illness despite a lack of physical bodily symptoms : preoccupation with one's usually normal bodily functions and sensations accompanied by the belief that they are signs of a serious or life-threatening medical condition
But if you're excessively worrying about your health—especially if you've seen your doctor and you've been tested or cleared of any issues―it might be worth speaking to a mental health professional. … Illness anxiety disorder, which is often referred to as health anxiety and hypochondria, is a very real condition that can be managed.—
Lindsay Holmes
Lindsay Holmescalled also hypochondria, hypochondriasis
compare somatic symptom disorderExamples of illness anxiety disorder in a Sentence
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Swedish researchers studied people with and without hypochondriasis — also known as illness anxiety disorder — a diagnosis given to people who are paranoid about being or becoming sick.
—Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 25 Dec. 2023
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Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 25 Dec. 2023
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“Illness anxiety disorder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illness%20anxiety%20disorder. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
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