Illness Anxiety Disorder

Up to 13% of the adult population experience clinically significant anxiety about health and illness. In some, this leads to a diagnosis of Illness Anxiety Disorder (IAD). This presentation will cover the diagnostic criteria of IAD, the impact that the COVID 19 pandemic had on those who experience IAD and other anxiety disorders, and effective treatment of IAD using Exposure Response Prevention (ERP). Discussion will include related disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, somatic disorder and adjunctive interventions. 

Educational Objectives

Following this presentation, participants will be able to -

• Discuss the diagnostic criteria of IAD 
• Explain how IAD is developed and maintained 
• Describe how Exposure Therapy can be used as an effective treatment approach for IAD