Mental health
Medicines for Health anxiety
Persistent, excessive worry about having or developing a serious illness, despite reassurance — a distressing but treatable condition, helped by talking therapy.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Health anxiety?
Health anxiety is a persistent and excessive preoccupation with the fear of having, or developing, a serious illness. People may misinterpret normal bodily sensations (such as a headache or a skipped heartbeat) as signs of serious disease, repeatedly check their body, seek frequent medical tests or reassurance, or search symptoms online — yet the reassurance rarely lasts.
- How it is treated: The most effective treatment is a talking therapy, particularly cognitive behavioural therapy adapted for health anxiety, which helps people understand the cycle of worry, checking and reassurance-seeking and gradually change it.
- Self-care: Gradually reducing body-checking, symptom-searching online and reassurance-seeking, practising relaxation and stress management, staying active, and having a consistent GP rather than repeated new opinions all support recovery.
- When to seek help: See a GP or self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies if worry about your health is persistent, distressing, or taking over daily life.
What it is
Health anxiety is a persistent and excessive preoccupation with the fear of having, or developing, a serious illness. People may misinterpret normal bodily sensations (such as a headache or a skipped heartbeat) as signs of serious disease, repeatedly check their body, seek frequent medical tests or reassurance, or search symptoms online — yet the reassurance rarely lasts. It causes real distress and can take up a lot of time and energy, affecting daily life and relationships. It often coexists with anxiety or depression. Importantly, the worry is genuine and not "made up", and it is a recognised, treatable condition rather than a character flaw.
How it is treated
The most effective treatment is a talking therapy, particularly cognitive behavioural therapy adapted for health anxiety, which helps people understand the cycle of worry, checking and reassurance-seeking and gradually change it. Reducing repeated checking, symptom-searching and reassurance-seeking (which feed the anxiety) is a key part. In the UK, people can often self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies. Some people also benefit from medication for associated anxiety or depression, decided with a clinician. Treating any coexisting mental-health condition helps. A trusting relationship with one GP, rather than many, can also support care.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Health anxiety
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
Gradually reducing body-checking, symptom-searching online and reassurance-seeking, practising relaxation and stress management, staying active, and having a consistent GP rather than repeated new opinions all support recovery.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
See a GP or self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies if worry about your health is persistent, distressing, or taking over daily life. Genuine new or changing symptoms should still be assessed appropriately.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Health anxiety: frequently asked questions
Is health anxiety the same as hypochondria?
Health anxiety is the modern term for what was called hypochondria. It is a real, distressing and treatable condition of persistent, excessive worry about serious illness, not something someone is imagining or inventing.
How is health anxiety treated?
The most effective treatment is CBT adapted for health anxiety, often via NHS Talking Therapies (self-referral in the UK). Reducing checking and reassurance-seeking is key, and some people benefit from medication.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NHS — Health anxiety
- Royal College of Psychiatrists — Health anxiety
Related conditions
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