Health OCD

Hypochondria, also known as Health Anxiety/OCD, involves an excessive preoccupation with the belief that one has, or will develop, a serious medical condition. This obsessive worry often leads to significant distress and impairment in daily functioning.

People with Health OCD may constantly feel anxious and fearful about their health. They might experience a sense of impending doom, believing that they have a serious illness despite medical reassurance to the contrary. This can lead to a cycle of checking symptoms, seeking medical advice, and researching illnesses, which only intensifies their anxiety.

Common Health OCD Obsessions:

• Fear of having a serious illness like cancer or heart disease.
• Obsessive worry about bodily sensations, such as headaches or stomach pains, being indicative of a severe condition.
• Concern that minor symptoms are signs of a life-threatening disease.
• Obsessive thoughts about what will happen to people you love if you were sick
• Fixation on bodily functions, such as heartbeat or breathing, and interpreting them as symptoms of a serious condition

Common Health OCD Compulsions:

• Frequently checking the body for signs of illness, such as lumps or changes in appearance.
• Repeatedly seeking reassurance about your health from doctors, family, or online sources.
• Avoiding places or situations that might trigger health anxiety, such as hospitals or conversations about illnesses.