In the differential diagnosis, which disorder is characterized by distressing and/or disruptive focus on having a disease with minimal somatic symptoms?

• A. Illness Anxiety Disorder
• B. Somatic Symptom Disorder
• C. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• D. Panic Disorder

Answer: (A)

Illness Anxiety Disorder is defined by a preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness, driven by health anxiety rather than the presence of significant somatic symptoms. People may endure excessive health-related behaviors (like constant checking or seeking reassurance) or show maladaptive avoidance, and this preoccupation persists despite medical evaluation and reassurance. The distress centers on the idea of illness itself, with only minimal or no somatic symptoms actually present, often for at least six months. If there were prominent somatic symptoms causing the distress, Somatic Symptom Disorder would be more likely, since that disorder centers on substantial physical symptoms with excessive thoughts and behaviors about them. Generalized Anxiety Disorder involves broad, persistent worry across multiple domains, and Panic Disorder centers on recurrent panic attacks and fear of future attacks, not a focused illness preoccupation.