Hypochondriasis, also known as health anxiety and illness anxiety disorder, is classified as a somatization disorder, as the primary complaint with hypochondriasis is fear of having a serious medical illness. However, hypochondriasis can also be considered an anxiety disorder, as the primary complaint involves the fear and worry about having a serious medical illness, and this induces much anxiety about the possibility of being physically ill.
The following video explains how hypochondriasis develops, and how the triggers induce thoughts, and how the thoughts induce anxiety, and how the anxiety influences behaviors:
