Health Anxiety in New parents: Prevalence, Risk & Key Differences

Key things to know What the evidence shows
How common is it? Not established HA-specific
Is it more common among new parents? Health concerns often shift toward infant
Are new parents at higher risk? #N/A
How much higher is the risk? NE
How often can it be missed? #N/A
Does it show up differently among new parents? Very Strong Yes
How might it look different? Repeated checking of baby's health plus worry about one's ability to stay healthy enough to care for baby
What commonly occurs alongside it? #N/A
What can it be confused with? Normal infant vigilance; postpartum OCD
Common screening tool SHAI — Short Health Anxiety Inventory
Separate screening tool for new parents HAPYS if anxiety is specifically about baby's/child's health
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