Health anxiety (illness anxiety disorder)
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Barkha ChikaraChief Medical Officer, MD (Psychiatry) from NIMHANS · Last reviewed October 2026Health anxiety, also called illness anxiety disorder, is a persistent fear of having or developing a serious illness, even after tests are normal. Checking and reassurance bring only short relief. It is common and responds well to CBT.
About 1 in 10 adults in India lives with a mental disorder (National Mental Health Survey, 2015-16). You are not alone.
At a glance
Common signs
- Excessive worry about having serious illness
- Repeated medical check-ups or avoidance thereof
- Preoccupation with body symptoms
- Googling symptoms excessively
How it is usually treated
- CBT targeting health anxiety
- Exposure
- Reducing safety behaviours
- Mindfulness
Where to start
A free pre-consultation call, then a video assessment with a psychiatrist. In danger? Call 112, or Tele-MANAS on 14416.
Book your free pre-consultation callRegistered clinicians: psychiatrists with their State Medical Council, psychologists with the Rehabilitation Council of India.
Signs
Tick any that feel familiar. This is not a diagnosis, only a clinician can assess you.
0 ticked. If these have been with you for a while, a free pre-consultation call is a good next step.
Book your free pre-consultation callHow people often describe it
- “I keep thinking I have a serious illness”
- “I check my body and search symptoms online again and again”
- “Doctors reassure me but the worry returns”
- “Every small pain frightens me”
People who live with health anxiety may also notice generalised anxiety, depression or OCD. If any of these sound familiar, mention them to your clinician so your plan can cover them.
When to get help soon
Get a medical check for any new or worsening symptom. Call Tele-MANAS on 14416 or 112 if anxiety is severe or you have thoughts of harming yourself.
How it is diagnosed
A doctor makes sure there is no physical cause. A psychiatrist then asks how worry, checking and reassurance-seeking work in your life, and checks for anxiety and depression.
Treatment and support
- CBT for health anxiety, the first-line therapy
- Learning to tolerate uncertainty
- Reducing checking, online searching and reassurance-seeking
- Mindfulness
- Treating related anxiety or depression
How Mindly helps
Mindly's psychiatrists assess health anxiety and offer structured therapy with practice between sessions. All care is online, by video.
Your first appointment
A psychiatrist takes your physical symptoms seriously, asks what tests you have had, and explores how stress and worry interact with them.
Who is involved
A psychiatrist works alongside your own doctors, and a clinical psychologist can help with coping skills.
Between sessions
Reviews follow how symptoms affect daily life, not only whether they disappear.
What to expect
- Free pre-consultation callWe take your history and details, and match you with the right clinician.
- First consultationA video call in your language, with a clinician who already has your report.
- Your planYour clinician agrees a plan with you: therapy, medicine or both, as suits you.
- Follow-up reviewsRegular check-ins, and your plan is adjusted as you recover.
- Staying wellSupport to keep you well and catch early signs of a setback.
Every Mindly plan includes a second opinion from our Chief Medical Officer, a diagnosis-first approach and regular tracking of your recovery. How Mindly care works
Book your free pre-consultation callYour privacy and confidentiality. What you share with Mindly Health stays between you and your care team. Your conversations, reports and messages are treated as confidential and shared only with the team members involved in your care, apart from the limited cases where the law requires it or someone's safety is at serious risk. Read our Privacy Policy and your rights under the Mental Healthcare Act.
Common questions
Is health anxiety made worse by googling symptoms?
Often, yes. Searching brings short relief and then more worry, so reducing it is part of treatment.
Is it just being careful?
Being careful is proportionate. Health anxiety is out of proportion and takes over.
Can it be treated?
Yes. Most people improve with CBT.
Clinicians with a focus in this area
Dr. Nevedita DasPsychiatrist - Telepsychiatry & Evidence-Based Care
Ms. Kamakshi SabharwalClinical Psychologist
Dr. Samarth S ShettyPsychiatrist
Online care in your city
Every consultation is by video, from wherever you are. Choose your city to see how it works.