Evidence-based treatment to help you break free from health-related worry and live with more ease
Health anxiety involves persistent, excessive worry about having or developing a serious illness. Normal body sensations—a headache, a racing heart, a muscle twitch—are interpreted as signs of something serious, triggering intense fear even after medical reassurance.
People with health anxiety often find themselves caught in cycles of checking their body, researching symptoms online, and seeking reassurance from doctors or loved ones. Relief is usually short-lived, and the worry soon returns—often stronger than before.
Repeatedly scanning your body for lumps, marks, or unusual sensations. Frequently taking your pulse, checking your blood pressure, or monitoring your breathing for signs that something is wrong.
Repeated doctor visits, requests for tests, or asking loved ones whether they think you're okay. Reassurance brings temporary relief, but the doubt and worry quickly return.
Spending hours researching symptoms and illnesses online (sometimes called "cyberchondria"). Searches almost always surface worst-case explanations, fuelling more anxiety rather than easing it.
Avoiding doctors, medical shows, health news, or conversations about illness for fear of what you might learn. Some people avoid exercise or activities that produce physical sensations resembling symptoms.
Health anxiety affects both mind and body. Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward getting help.
Health anxiety responds very well to therapy. Our clinicians use proven approaches that target the worry, checking, and reassurance-seeking cycles that keep health anxiety going.
CBT and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) are the leading evidence-based treatments for health anxiety:
Checking and reassurance provide short-term relief but keep health anxiety alive. Together, we'll work on:
Consider reaching out for professional help if:
Good news:Health anxiety is highly treatable. Most people see significant improvement with CBT and ACT, often within 12-16 sessions. You don't have to live in constant fear about your health—effective help is available.
Book a free 15-minute consultation to discuss how evidence-based health anxiety treatment can help you feel calmer, more confident, and more present in your life.
