What is health anxiety?

Health anxiety is persistent worry about having a serious illness, often despite medical reassurance, where normal bodily sensations are interpreted as signs of grave disease.

Why doesn't reassurance help my health anxiety?

Reassurance brings only brief relief before doubt returns, often stronger. This reassurance-seeking cycle is what keeps health anxiety alive; reducing it gradually is key to recovery.

How can I manage health anxiety?

Limit symptom-searching and body-checking, learn to tolerate uncertainty, postpone worry to a set time, and build a fuller life. Therapy provides structure for these changes.

Is health anxiety treatable?

Yes. Cognitive behavioural therapy for health anxiety is well established and effective, helping you change the thinking and behaviour patterns that sustain the fear.

Can anxiety cause chest pain for hours or days?

Anxiety chest pain usually comes in waves tied to stress or panic and eases as you calm down. Pain that is constant for hours or days should always be assessed by a doctor.

How do I know it is anxiety and not my heart?

You cannot be certain on your own. Anxiety pain is often sharp, moves around, and eases with slow breathing, while cardiac pain is more often crushing pressure that spreads. If in doubt, get checked immediately.

Is anxiety chest pain dangerous?

The pain itself is not harmful, but the danger is assuming chest pain is anxiety when it is not. Get a medical check first, then treat the anxiety.

What treatment stops anxiety chest pain?

Once your heart is cleared, CBT is the most effective treatment, usually within 8-12 sessions.

Anxiety & OCD Archives - Page 3 of 3

Anxiety & OCD

Health Anxiety (Hypochondria): Signs and Treatment

June 25, 2026

Health anxiety (sometimes called hypochondria) is a persistent fear of having or developing a serious illness, despite reassurance from doctors and tests.…