Health Anxiety: When Worry About Your Health Takes Over

It is normal to worry about your health sometimes. Health anxiety becomes more problematic when fear about illness is persistent and begins to dominate everyday life.

Mental Health & Wellbeing Support Hub

What can health anxiety look like?

Patterns can include repeatedly checking the body, frequently seeking reassurance, worrying that tests or clinicians have missed something, repeatedly searching symptoms online, or avoiding health information because it feels frightening.

Why reassurance may only help temporarily

Repeated checking or reassurance can briefly reduce anxiety but may keep the cycle going. This does not mean genuine physical symptoms should be ignored. The aim is to respond appropriately to symptoms without anxiety controlling daily life.

When should you seek help?

Speak to a GP or mental health professional when health worries are interfering with work, relationships, sleep or everyday activities. NHS Talking Therapies specifically includes persistent worry about health among the problems it may help with.

What about new physical symptoms?

Do not dismiss new, severe or concerning symptoms as anxiety. Seek appropriate medical advice based on the symptom and urgency.

Related: Anxiety, Worry & Panic and Anxiety & Sleep.

Educational information only and not a diagnosis.