What's it called when you feel sick but aren't? Understanding illness anxiety disorder
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5 min read
According to the American Psychiatric Association, approximately 5-7% of the population may experience somatic symptom disorder, a condition characterized by a significant focus on physical symptoms that cause major distress. When you persistently feel ill without a clear medical cause, it's often referred to as illness anxiety disorder, a condition centered on excessive worry rather than the physical symptoms themselves. These experiences are not imagined; they are real and rooted in the complex interplay between mental and physical health.