Somatic Symptom & Illness/Health Anxiety

“Wellness is not a ‘medical fix’ but a way of living — a lifestyle sensitive and responsive to all the dimensions of body, mind, and spirit, an approach to life we each design to achieve our highest potential for well-being now and forever.”

Greg Anderson

Despite diagnostic differences, Health Anxiety (Illness Anxiety Disorder, characterized by a persistent fear of having or developing a serious illness, often with only mild or minimal physical symptoms) and Somatic Symptom Disorder (involving excessive concern about actual physical symptoms, regardless of medical explanation) have significant similarities.

•  Both disorders involve excessive preoccupation with health and can significantly disrupt daily life.
• Individuals may experience coexisting anxiety or depression, which can exacerbate symptoms.

From a practical standpoint, then, effective treatment for both involves Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to address negative thought patterns and reduce health-related anxiety, as well as education about the mind-body connection and learning to interpret bodily sensations accurately. Often, medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs may be used to alleviate symptoms. 

You can read more about health anxiety and somatic symptoms at Psychiatry Magazine (psychiatrymagazine.com/anxiety-vs-somatic-symptom-disorder-explained/), Local MD Mental Health (yourlocalpsychiatrist.nyc/rm-blog/illness-anxiety-disorder-vs-somatic-symptom-disorder/), and the Cleveland Clinic (health.clevelandclinic.org/health-anxiety) websites. 

For further reading on the similarities, differences, and treatments, the National Library of Medicine published a study earlier this year (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12978481/), and Massachusetts General Hospital posted an interesting PowerPoint presentation (mghcme.org/app/uploads/2020/10/Stern-2020-Somatic-Symtpom-Disorder-Illness-Anxiety-Disorder-FINAL.pdf). 

If you are experiencing these types of physical health concerns, I would like to talk with you about effective CBT interventions. Please email me at Karen@Psychologist-NH.com.