Are you struggling with the effects of illness anxiety disorder?
Right now, as a result of illness anxiety disorder, you may be experiencing:
- Persistent worry that you have or will develop a serious illness despite minimal or no symptoms
- Hypervigilance about bodily sensations, constantly scanning for signs of potential disease
- Frequent checking behaviors like monitoring your pulse, examining your body, or researching symptoms online
- Avoidance of situations, people, or information that might trigger health-related anxiety
- Alternatively, excessive medical seeking with frequent doctor visits and requests for tests or reassurance
- Temporary relief from reassurance that quickly gives way to new health worries
- Significant distress and impairment in your daily functioning due to health-related anxiety
Your body illness anxiety disorder may be getting in the way of your life in these ways:
- Your relationships suffer as conversations increasingly revolve around your health concerns
- Your career or education is affected by time spent researching symptoms or attending medical appointments
- Your financial resources are strained by frequent medical visits, tests, or alternative health products
- Your ability to enjoy life is diminished by constant preoccupation with potential illness
- Your emotional well-being is compromised by the persistent anxiety about your health
You’re wondering…
- Why can’t I accept medical reassurance when tests show nothing is wrong?
- How can I distinguish between appropriate health vigilance and unhealthy anxiety?
- Will I always be hyperaware of bodily sensations, or can I learn to interpret them differently?
- What’s happening in my brain that makes health concerns so persistent and overwhelming?
- Is it possible to find a balance between ignoring concerning symptoms and obsessing over minor ones?
You’re longing for…
- Freedom from the constant worry about your health that dominates your thoughts.
- The ability to experience normal bodily sensations without interpreting them as signs of disease.
- A balanced approach to health that includes appropriate care without excessive anxiety.
- Mental space for other interests, relationships, and goals beyond health concerns.
- Confidence in your body’s resilience rather than focusing on its vulnerability to illness.
How we can help you.
At Evergreen Counseling, we understand that illness anxiety disorder involves real fear and suffering, even when the feared illnesses aren't present. Our therapists create a validating environment where we acknowledge your genuine distress while helping you develop a more balanced relationship with health and bodily sensations.
What you’re longing for is possible.
By pursuing trauma therapy for illness anxiety disorder, you can imagine the following:
You feel consumed by worry about potential illnesses despite minimal or no physical symptoms.
You notice bodily sensations without immediately catastrophizing or assuming they indicate serious illness.
Your attempts to seek reassurance through medical visits or online research provide only temporary relief.
You distinguish between appropriate health vigilance and excessive health anxiety, seeking medical care when truly warranted.
Your interpretation of normal bodily sensations is catastrophic, seeing potential disease in minor experiences.
You tolerate normal uncertainty about health without needing excessive reassurance or engaging in checking behaviors.
Your life has narrowed as health concerns dominate your thoughts, conversations, and daily activities.
You engage fully in relationships, work, and leisure activities without being derailed by health worries.
Your relationship with your body is characterized by fear, distrust, and hypervigilance rather than acceptance.
You experience your body as generally resilient rather than perpetually vulnerable to serious disease.
What if I’m Not Ready?
Not Quite Ready to Book a Complimentary Concierge Matching Call? That’s Okay.
We understand that taking the first step towards therapy can feel overwhelming. We’re here to make this decision easier for you.
Starting therapy can bring up mixed feelings—part of you might be eager, while another part hesitates to confront deeply buried emotions. You might doubt whether therapy can help, especially if you’ve struggled for a long time or had disappointing experiences with untrained therapists or life coaches. At Evergreen Counseling, our trauma-trained therapists are deeply committed to providing expert care.
Here’s How We Can Help You Move Forward
- Complimentary Concierge Matching Call: Our concierge matching call is an opportunity for you to ask questions, share your concerns, and see if our approach feels right for you—without any obligation.
- Reimbursement Options: Concerned about the cost? We can guide you on how to get reimbursed for therapy using your out-of-network insurance benefits, making high-quality care more accessible to you.
- Informed Decision: Whether you’re ready to start or still exploring your options, we want you to feel fully informed and confident in your choice.
