Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Illness Anxiety Disorder, previously known as hypochondriasis, is a psychological disorder where a person is excessively worried about having a serious illness despite having no or only mild symptoms.
Related terms
Health Anxiety: This is an obsessive and irrational worry about having a serious medical condition. It's similar to Illness Anxiety Disorder but can also include behaviors like frequent doctor visits and excessive self-examination.
Somatoform Disorders: These are mental illnesses that cause bodily symptoms, including pain. The symptoms can't be traced back to any physical cause. They include disorders such as somatization disorder and conversion disorder.
A group of mental disorders characterized by significant feelings of anxiety and fear. Examples include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder.