What CBT strategy is commonly used for Illness Anxiety Disorder?

• A. Cognitive-behavioral therapy focusing on education only.
• B. Mindfulness meditation without exposure.
• C. Exposure with response prevention to health-related triggers.
• D. Pharmacotherapy targeted at somatic symptoms.

Answer: (C)

Illness anxiety disorder often persists because avoidance and safety behaviors keep the fear about illness alive. The most effective CBT strategy targets these behaviors with exposure and response prevention. The idea is to deliberately confront health-related triggers—such as bodily sensations, health information, or visits to doctors—while refraining from the safety steps the person normally uses, like excessive checking, reassurance seeking, or avoiding medical contexts. Through this that the anxiety rises initially but then habituates, and the person learns that symptoms are not as dangerous as believed and that health remains stable even without constant reassurance or avoidance. This combination directly reduces the cycle of misinterpretation and compulsive safety behaviors that maintain illness anxiety.