Illness is a part of life.

But for people with health anxiety, worrying about sickness can become a constant struggle that can harm their mental health, their relationships, and even their physical health.

Today we're going to talk to an expert in anxiety disorders about where health anxiety comes from,

how to know whether your worries about illness

are actually health anxiety, and what you can do if you or someone close to you is struggling

with it.

So how common is health anxiety?

What's the difference between health anxiety and just being careful about your health?

Did the pandemic cause an uptick in health anxiety or exacerbated in

people who are prone to it? What about the internet and Dr. Google? And what are the most

effective research-backed treatments we have for health anxiety? Welcome to Speaking of Psychology,

the flagship podcast of the American Psychological Association

that examines the links between psychological science and everyday life.

I'm Kim Mills.

My guest today is Dr. Karen Lynn Cassidy, the owner and clinical director of the Anxiety

Treatment Center of Greater Chicago. She's a former president of the Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Chicago.

She's a former president of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America,

and a nationally recognized expert in diagnosing and treating anxiety disorders in children, teens, and adults.

Her 2022 book, Freedom from Health Anxiety,

Understand and Overcomeive worry about your health

or someone else's and find peace of mind, offers readers practical advice for overcoming health anxiety.

Dr. Cassidy has spoken widely to the media on anxiety disorders, including through the New York

...