Print it for a therapy session, GP appointment follow-up, wellbeing discussion or personal reflection when health worries, symptom checking or reassurance seeking are starting to take over. The sheet explains what health anxiety means, when normal concern becomes a problem, and why real physical symptoms can still sit alongside anxiety about illness.
This one-page guide to health anxiety helps adults and older teenagers understand persistent worries about illness, fear of serious disease, symptom anxiety and the pattern sometimes referred to as hypochondria. It explains health as physical, mental and social functioning, then shows how anxiety can be triggered when a person believes their health may be under threat, even when the risk is uncertain or only perceived.
The resource sets out common fears, including concerns about cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, heart attack, thyroid problems, mental illness, or the health of someone close. It also describes behaviours that can keep the worry going, such as repeatedly checking the body, searching for explanations, asking doctors, family or friends for reassurance, avoiding appointments, or feeling distressed despite negative test results.
Use it as a downloadable worksheet, discussion prompt or planning aid for counselling, wellbeing lessons, pastoral care, GP follow-up conversations or home learning. A section on real symptoms explains that health anxiety can occur alongside unexplained symptoms, confirmed conditions or everyday body sensations, with the emphasis on noticing responses and coping choices. Produced by the Centre for Clinical Interventions, it is ready to view, print and use as a clear starting point for a calm conversation.
