What is a common characteristic of symptoms in Illness Anxiety Disorder?

In Illness Anxiety Disorder, a defining characteristic is that individuals frequently exhibit symptoms that are disproportionate or exaggerated in comparison to actual medical findings. This means that the person's preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness is accompanied by excessive worry and anxiety, often without substantial evidence from medical evaluations to support their concerns.

Those with this disorder often misinterpret normal bodily sensations or minor symptoms as indicative of serious health issues, leading to significant distress and persistence in worrying about health. This can result in a cycle of unnecessary medical visits and diagnostic tests, despite the absence of serious illness.

The other characteristics do not accurately describe Illness Anxiety Disorder. For instance, while individuals may experience distressing symptoms, they are not necessarily severe or life-threatening. Additionally, chronic pain is not a hallmark of the disorder, as it focuses more on anxiety and preoccupation than persistent physical symptoms. Symptoms of Illness Anxiety Disorder can fluctuate and are not necessarily stable over time, as individuals may go through periods of heightened anxiety regarding their health.