Health anxiety is a condition in which a person is excessively and unduly worried about having a serious illness. People with health anxiety often misinterpret normal bodily sensations as signs of illness, leading to frequent doctor visits, excessive online research, or avoidance of medical care altogether. This persistent fear can interfere with daily life, causing distress and reinforcing a cycle of anxiety that makes it difficult to find reassurance. Even when medical tests come back normal, individuals with health anxiety may struggle to believe they are truly healthy, leading to ongoing worry and preoccupation with their health.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective treatment for health anxiety, helping individuals recognise and challenge unhelpful thought patterns that fuel their fears. Through CBT, people learn to identify cognitive distortions—such as catastrophising mild symptoms—and replace them with more balanced and realistic thinking. Exposure therapy, a key component of CBT, gradually helps individuals confront their health-related fears without engaging in compulsive behaviours like excessive reassurance-seeking. By addressing both thoughts and behaviours, CBT helps individuals build resilience, reduce anxiety, and regain control over their lives.