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.

Steps To Diagnosis

The first step in determining an accurate diagnosis is for individuals to visit their primary care physician, who will conduct a physical exam and other tests, as well as ask a series of questions, to get familiar with the situation at hand. They can help determine if the patient has a physical medical condition that requires treatment. In cases where they suspect IAD or another mental illness, they will often refer patients to a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist.

The mental health professional will have patients fill out an initial self-assessment or questionnaire about their psychological well-being. They will then use this information and conduct a thorough psychological evaluation. This evaluation will include discussing symptoms, if there are stressful situations in the patient’s life, family history, talking about drug or alcohol use, and any other issues affecting the patient’s wellbeing. It is important for individuals to openly express their issues to the mental health professional about what exactly they are experiencing and the severity of the situation to receive an accurate diagnosis.