Mental Health & Wellbeing Resource Library · Anxiety series
Health anxiety
Worry about illness can become persistent even after reassurance.
Understanding
Health anxiety is persistent worry about being ill or becoming ill. Ordinary body sensations can feel alarming, and reassurance may help only briefly before another doubt appears. The worry is real, even when a feared illness has not been found.
Having health anxiety does not mean ignoring new symptoms. A GP can help assess symptoms and the worry around them.
Signs & symptoms
- Checking your body repeatedly for changes
- Searching symptoms online or asking others for reassurance again and again
- Avoiding medical information or appointments because they feel frightening
- Feeling unable to settle after an appropriate check or normal result
The pattern matters more than any single behaviour; many people look up symptoms sometimes.
How it can affect you
Repeated checking and reassurance can take up time, interrupt sleep and strain relationships. Worry may pull attention away from work, study or enjoyable activities, and anxiety can create physical sensations that feel alarming in themselves.
Some people avoid healthcare altogether; others visit often. Both patterns can be part of the difficulty.
Coping strategies
- Write down when you feel the urge to check, search or seek reassurance
- Try delaying one check briefly and do another absorbing activity while the urge rises and falls
- Keep a sensible route for genuine medical concerns instead of repeated online searching
- Speak with a GP if health worries are taking over; ask about talking therapies
Do not dismiss new, severe or changing symptoms. Seek appropriate medical advice.
Support services in Kirklees
Your GP: Explain what you have noticed, how long it has been happening and what it is making harder. A GP can discuss assessment and suitable support.
Kirklees Talking Therapies: Explore the service’s current referral information for anxiety support. Check its eligibility and options directly.
Other local support: The Kirklees Council mental health directory lists local services. If you are supporting a child or young person, use the children and young people’s support page.
General information only. It does not diagnose a condition or replace professional advice. Read the NHS guide to health anxiety for more detail. Last reviewed for this site: 29 September 2026.