Illness Anxiety Disorder 315
present, the degree of impairment is more ma rked than would be expected from the phys-
ical illness alone. When an individual’s sy mptoms meet diagnostic  criteria for somatic
symptom disorder, the disorder sh ould be diagnosed; however, in view of the frequent co-
morbidity, especially with anxiety and depre ssive disorders, evidence for these concur-
rent diagnoses should be sought.
Illness Anxiety Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria 300.7 (F45.21)
A. Preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness. 
B. Somatic symptoms are not present or, if pr esent, are only mild in intensity. If another
medical condition is present or there is a high risk for developing a medical condition
(e.g., strong family history is present), the preoccupation is clearly excessive or dispro-
portionate. 
C. There is a high level of anxiety about health, and the individual is easily alarmed about
personal health status.
D. The individual performs excessive health-related behaviors (e.g., repeatedly checks
his or her body for signs of illness) or exhibits maladaptive avoidance (e.g., avoids doc-
tor appointments and hospitals).
E. Illness preoccupation has been present for at least 6 months, but the specific illness
that is feared may change over that period of time.
F. The illness-related preoccupation is not better explained by another mental disorder, such
as somatic symptom disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, body dysmor-
phic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disor der, or delusional disorder, somatic type.
Specify whether:
Care-seeking type:  Medical care, including physician visits or undergoing tests and
procedures, is frequently used.
Care-avoidant type:  Medical care is rarely used.
Diagnostic Features