CBT for Health Anxiety: How Californians Are Overcoming Medical Fear in a Post-Pandemic World - ADTS Psych
The last few years have fundamentally reshaped how people think about health. For many Californians, the pandemic amplified fears around illness, symptoms, and medical uncertainty. As a result, cognitivebehavioral therapy for anxiety —particularly for health-related fears—has emerged as one of the most impactful treatment paths for those seeking relief. Understanding Health Anxiety in Today’s Context Health anxiety goes beyond occasional worry. Individuals may constantly check symptoms online, schedule repeated doctor visits, or experience distress over minor bodily sensations. The post-pandemic environment, filled with health warnings and medical news, has intensified these tendencies. Cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety helps by restructuring the thought patterns driving these worries, learning what is safe vs dangerous, and teaching evidence-based coping strategies. Breaking the Cycle of Catastrophic Thinking At the core of health anxiety lies a cycle of catastrop...