What Is Illness Anxiety Disorder?

Causes And Risk Factors

Unfortunately, the precise cause of IAD is not clear. Individuals can develop IAD in a variety of ways and for a variety of reasons, often unique to them. With this in mind, however, there are a few general factors that increase the risk of developing IAD. These reasons include undergoing a significant life upheaval or stressful event, such as losing a family member due to illness, having a history of childhood illnesses, and having a history of abuse or neglect, which is often suffered as a child. Other reasons include not understanding the meaning of body sensations, thus researching about everything, having relatives who worried a lot about their health, and having a worrisome personality.

Given IAD is a recognized diagnosis under The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), possessing another mental illness (such as generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder) can significantly raise the risk of developing IAD.

Continue reading to learn about how illness anxiety disorder is diagnosed.