Health Anxiety in Men: Prevalence, Risk & Key Differences

Key things to know What the evidence shows
How common is it? General lifetime severe HA ~6%; male-specific estimate NE
Is it more common among men? Generally somewhat lower in population studies
Are men at higher risk? #N/A
How much higher is the risk? Reference
How often can it be missed? #N/A
Does it show up differently among men? Somewhat
How might it look different? Reassurance seeking may coexist with avoidance of doctors; disease fears may present via repeated self-monitoring or delayed care
What commonly occurs alongside it? #N/A
What can it be confused with? IAD; SSD; panic; genuine illness
Common screening tool SHAI — Short Health Anxiety Inventory
Separate screening tool for men None
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