Illness Anxiety Disorder is defined by which of the following?

Illness Anxiety Disorder is defined by which of the following?

• A. Preoccupation with fear of serious disease lasting >6 months with minimal somatic symptoms
• B. Recurrent panic attacks
• C. Delusions of persecution
• D. Mood fluctuations

Answer: (A)

Illness Anxiety Disorder centers on excessive worry about having a serious illness, with health-related anxiety lasting many months and little to no somatic symptoms. The description of a persistent preoccupation with fear of a serious disease for more than six months with minimal somatic symptoms fits this pattern precisely. Recurrent panic attacks align with panic disorder, delusions of persecution are psychotic symptoms seen in schizophrenia or delusional disorders, and mood fluctuations point to mood disorders rather than health anxiety.

Illness Anxiety Disorder centers on excessive worry about having a serious illness, with health-related anxiety lasting many months and little to no somatic symptoms. The description of a persistent preoccupation with fear of a serious disease for more than six months with minimal somatic symptoms fits this pattern precisely. Recurrent panic attacks align with panic disorder, delusions of persecution are psychotic symptoms seen in schizophrenia or delusional disorders, and mood fluctuations point to mood disorders rather than health anxiety.