Nosophobiais an irrational and persistent fear of having or developing a specific, serious medical condition such as cancer.
While many people experience anxiety about their health, people with nosophobia cannot control their fear.
However, there are ways to manage this anxiety, including therapy and lifestyle changes.
Jose Luis Pelaez Inc / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Jose Luis Pelaez Inc / DigitalVision / Getty Images
What is Nosophobia?
People with nosophobia experience anxiety around a particular medical condition.
They might stay at home or practice other avoidant behaviors due to fear of infection.
Nosophobia vs. Nosophobia is the fear of developing a specific chronic disease or medical condition.
There are important differences between the two:
Fear contracting or developing a specific, well-known disease.
Experience isolated episodes of fear or panic triggered by any mention of the feared illness.
Have no symptoms at all but still worry they have/will be diagnosed with the feared illness.
Tend to avoid thinking about the feared illness, and avoid people and places associated with it.
Fear illness generally/believe they are ill despite evidence to the contrary.
Experience continual fear and preoccupation with illness.
Monitor bodily functions frequently and seek constant reassurance concerning any minor symptoms.
Tend to obsess over illness generally, speak about it often, and overshare health concerns.
If you suspect you have either nosophobia or illness anxiety disorder, your healthcare provider can help.
For example, prescriptionanti-anxiety medicationorantidepressantsmay provide relief.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can also help.
The most common treatment for nosophobia is CBT.
2024;21(1-3):31-35.
Published 2024 Mar 1.
2021;33(4):360-370. doi:10.7416/ai.2021.2446
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