Van Ommen, CliffordThompson, Victoria2020-12-082021-06-032020-12-082021-06-032020http://hdl.handle.net/10179/16389Changes in the diagnostic criteria for health anxiety calls for a closer investigation of the experiences of those who excessively worry about their health. This study uses a social constructionist perspective to qualitatively investigate the lived experience of people who identify as excessively worrying about their health. Experiences of nine participants were explored in semi-structured interviews. Through a thematic analysis, six key themes were identified: ‘relationships’, ‘invalidation’, ‘insight’, ‘better safe than sorry’, ‘vulnerability’ and ‘therapy.’ Overall, participants experience their health anxiety as debilitating, with challenges that included interactions with health professionals, a sense of responsibility for health and a feeling of vulnerability in relation to their bodies. However, previous research suggesting a lack of insight in health anxiety was called into question and the benefits of interacting with psychological therapies shared. Participants reflected a sense of invalidation within the medical sphere and a need for recognition, support and engagement with professionals that does not serve to further stigmatise this group.The AuthorHypochondriaNew ZealandPatientsAttitudesThesis520399 Clinical and health psychology not elsewhere classifiedQ112954044https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112954044