Illness Anxiety Disorder is associated with increased risk for which disorders?

• A. Somatic Symptom Disorder and Personality Disorder
• B. Major Depressive Disorder and Panic Disorder
• C. Substance Use Disorders and ADHD
• D. Autism Spectrum Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder

Answer: (A)

Illness Anxiety Disorder is defined by a preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness, with high health anxiety and excessive health-related behaviors, even when somatic symptoms are mild or not present. This focus on health concerns often goes hand in hand with other conditions that share similar patterns of worry about bodily states and the impact on functioning.

Somatic Symptom Disorder is a natural comorbidity because both conditions revolve around distress and maladaptive beliefs about bodily symptoms. Even if actual symptoms aren’t severe, the excessive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors about health found in Somatic Symptom Disorder align with the health-anxiety core of Illness Anxiety Disorder, making co-occurrence common.

Personality Disorders can also be more prevalent in individuals with chronic health anxiety. Long-standing patterns of thinking and behavior—such as heightened need for reassurance, intolerance of uncertainty, and a tendency toward catastrophizing about health—can contribute to persistent illness-focused worry and complicate management, increasing the likelihood of a comorbid personality pathology.

While depressive and panic disorders, and other conditions listed in the other options, can occur in someone with Illness Anxiety Disorder, the strongest and most characteristic comorbidity pattern involves Somatic Symptom Disorder and Personality Disorder.