Treatment for health anxiety primarily involves psychotherapy, with medication occasionally included to alleviate symptoms and improve overall functioning. Our team at WCWCW is dedicated to providing you with the support and treatment you need to manage health anxiety and regain a sense of control in your life. Contact us today to take the first step towards your well-being.

Psychotherapy

The most common treatment for health anxiety is psychotherapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT can be very effective in treating health anxiety because it teaches you skills that can help you manage your disorder. You can participate in CBT individually or in a group. Some of the benefits of CBT include:

• identifying your health anxiety worries and beliefs
• learning other ways to look at your body sensations by changing unhelpful thoughts
• raising your awareness of how your worries affect you and your behavior
• responding to your body sensations and symptoms differently
• learning to better cope with your anxiety and stress
• learning to stop avoiding situations and activities because of physical sensations
• avoiding examining your body for signs of illness and repeatedly looking for reassurance that you’re healthy
• boosting your functioning at home, work, or school, in social settings, and in relationships with others
• checking whether or not you’re suffering from other mental health disorders, like depression or bipolar disorder
  Other forms of psychotherapy are also sometimes used to treat health anxiety. This may include behavioral stress management and exposure therapy. If your symptoms are severe, your doctor may recommend medication in addition to your other treatments.

Medication

If your health anxiety is improving with psychotherapy alone, that is generally all that will be used to treat your condition. Some people don’t respond to psychotherapy, however. If this applies to you, your doctor may recommend medications.

Antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are frequently used for this condition. If you have a mood or anxiety disorder in addition to your anxiety, medications used to treat those conditions may also help.

Our specialists at WCWCW in Bethesda, Maryland, offer the supportive care you need to overcome the challenges of health anxiety. We provide the same high-quality service via telehealth for patients living in Maryland, DC, Virginia, Michigan, and Florida. Call our office or request an appointment online today.