In Illness Anxiety Disorder, patients most commonly exhibit which pattern of health-related behavior?

• A. Excessive medical testing early in disease.
• B. Avoidance of health information.
• C. Excessive checking and reassurance seeking, even when somatic symptoms are mild or absent.
• D. Complete indifference to health.

Answer: (C)

Illness Anxiety Disorder centers on a persistent preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness, with somatic symptoms that are mild or absent. The most characteristic health-related behavior is a pattern of excessive checking for signs of illness and constant reassurance seeking from healthcare professionals, loved ones, or through tests, even when evaluations are normal. This cycle tends to heighten anxiety instead of alleviating it, because reassurance provides only temporary relief and the worry soon returns. While some individuals may avoid medical information, the dominant pattern described in this scenario is the ongoing checking and reassurance seeking. Indifference to health would contradict the distress and preoccupation typical of this disorder.