(e.g., pain, discomfort, etc.) and associated anxiety in a more effective way. This often helps to improve a person's ability to function in their daily life.

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Illness Anxiety Disorder

Illness Anxiety Disorder* occurs when a person develops a preoccupation with either having or of getting a serious medical illness. In this case, somatic, or bodily symptoms, are not present, or are mild in intensity. For example, a person may have a medical illness or high risk for developing a medical illness; however, the fixation on the physical symptoms are excessive or disproportionate. People suffering from this disorder often experience significant anxiety about health, including feeling easily alarmed or activated about their own health status. People will also perform excessive health-related behaviors (e.g., Googling symptoms/treatments, excessively checking one's body for signs of illness, etc.) or engage in unhealthy avoidance behaviors (e.g., avoid medical doctors, hospitals, etc.).  I treat illness anxiety disorder with Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is considered an evidence-based treatment for this diagnosis. This treatment involves learning to tolerate and cope with health-related anxiety more effectively.

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Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder

Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder*, also known as Conversion Disorder, occurs when a person experiences one or more symptoms of altered voluntary motor or sensory function (e.g., weakness, paralysis, abnormal movement, swallowing or speech symptoms, seizures, sensory loss, etc.). People suffering from this diagnosis have met with medical doctors, but clinical findings provide evidence of an incompatibility between symptoms and a recognized neurological or medical condition. People also experience significant distress and/or impairment in their daily functioning. Treatment of this diagnosis requires collaboration with medical providers and other professionals (e.g., speech therapy, physical therapy, etc.). 

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If you feel you may be suffering from a mental health issue and are ready to get help, or even if you’re unsure if you need help and just want more information, please contact me today.   If you are experiencing a psychiatric emergency, meaning likely to harm yourself or others, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. 

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*Basic information about the disorders listed above comes from the American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) 

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