Treatment of Illness Anxiety Disorder

Psychological treatment. The most useful, effective treatment for people with this disorder is what is known as cognitive behavioural therapy. In this treatment, the person is guided by an experienced professional to learn to change certain thoughts and behaviours involved with persistent and excessive worrying about health. It involves identifying those feelings which are feared and/or avoided, to learn to cope with them and to try new ways of managing them.

Drug treatment. Drug treatments with ‘selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors’ (especially fluoxetine) are effective in the treatment of illness anxiety disorder.