Differential consideration
Illness anxiety disorder
F45.21Somatic & Functional
Why consider it
minimal or no somatic symptoms; anxiety focuses on having disease
Criteria and features to review
- A. Preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness
- B. Somatic symptoms are absent or, if present, only mild in intensity; if medical condition present or at high risk, concern is clearly excessive or disproportionate
- C. High anxiety about health; easily alarmed about personal health status
- D. Excessive health-related behaviours (repeated body checking/seeking reassurance/medical appointments) or maladaptive avoidance (avoiding doctors)
Questions to clarify
- Which documented criteria and exclusions are met for each possibility?
- What timeline, course, and functional change best distinguishes the alternatives?
- Are substance, medication, medical, developmental, and contextual explanations adequately assessed?