• Thorough medical evaluation fails to identify a serious medical condition that accounts for the individual's concerns
• The individual's distress comes from the anxiety related to the complaint rather than the physical issue itself
• The individual's concerns do not diminish despite reassurance from medical professionals
• Repeatedly researching their suspected disease or seeking reassurance from family and friends

Criterion A. Preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness.

Criterion B. Somatic symptoms are not present or, if present, are only mild in intensity. If another medical condition is present or there is a high risk for developing a medical condition (e.g. strong family history is present), the preoccupation is clearly excessive or disproportionate.

Criterion C. There is a high level of anxiety about health, and the individual is easily alarmed about personal health status.

Criterion D. The individual performs excessive health-related behaviours (e.g. repeatedly checks body for signs of illness) or exhibits maladaptive avoidance (e.g. avoids doctor appointments and hospitals).

Criterion E. Illness preoccupation has been present for at least 6 months, but the specific illness that is feared may change over that period of time.

Criterion F. The illness-related preoccupation is not better explained by another mental disorder, such as somatic symptom disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or delusional disorder, somatic type.

Specifiers:

• Care-seeking type
• Care-avoidant type