From Cough to Cancer Fear: How Illness Anxiety Disorder Traps Millions in a Cycle of Fear
A simple cough convinces you it’s lung cancer. A headache must be a brain tumor. This isn’t just everyday worry; it could be Illness Anxiety Disorder (formerly known as hypochondria), a condition where the fear of having a serious illness persists despite medical reassurance. According to the American Psychological Association, this debilitating anxiety affects up to 5% of…