Emerging Understanding of Illness Anxiety

Illness Anxiety Disorder (IAD) prevalence is estimated between three to five percent, but accurate numbers remain elusive due to the diagnosis being relatively new and often misclassified in surveys. Clinicians note a rise in reported cases following the establishment of the diagnosis, suggesting that many individuals may have previously been categorized under other anxiety disorders. Some experts propose that the true prevalence could be double the current estimates. External factors, such as the pandemic and alarming health news, further complicate the understanding of IAD's effects on the population, indicating a potential need for updated research in the coming years.