Illness Anxiety Disorder: A Proposed Adlerian Formulation

Illness anxiety disorder was added to what is now known as the “Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders” category in the DSM-5. The author discusses the introduction of this diagnosis, reviews its key features, and examines how it is different from hypochondriasis, which has been reconceptualized and is currently known as somatic symptom disorder. Adlerian interpretations of hypochondriasis are reviewed and an Adlerian formulation of illness anxiety disorder is proposed. The author briefiy discusses goals and strategy in the Adlerian treatment of this new disorder.