Find over 25,000 psychological definitions


illness anxiety disorder

in DSM–5, a disorder characterized by high anxiety about one’s health, by excessive preoccupation with having an illness or acquiring it, and by behaviors associated with the presumed or feared condition (e.g., repeatedly checking oneself for possible signs of illness), yet with no significant somatic symptoms that would warrant such concern. One of two replacement diagnoses for hypochondriasis, illness anxiety disorder is determined based only on this set of criteria and does not also apply to the presence of both high health anxiety and significant somatic symptoms. See somatic symptom disorder.

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

January 23rd 2025

pancreatitis

pancreatitis

n. an inflammation of the pancreas, marked by severe abdominal pain and caused by biliary tract disorders (e.g., gallstones), alcoholism, viral infection, or reactions to certain drugs (e.g., some antipsychotic agents).