In the past, individuals with illness anxiety disorder were referred to as what?

Individuals with illness anxiety disorder were historically referred to as hypochondriacs. This term was commonly used to describe people who have an overwhelming fear of having a serious illness, often based on minor bodily sensations or health concerns. The condition is characterized by excessive worry about health and preoccupation with the belief that one is seriously ill, despite medical evaluations showing otherwise.

In contemporary practice, the terminology has shifted towards "illness anxiety disorder" to more accurately reflect the psychological aspects of the condition. The previous label of hypochondriasis can carry stigma and may oversimplify the complex interplay between anxiety and health perception experienced by these individuals. It emphasizes the need for a more compassionate understanding and a focus on the anxiety component rather than reducing the condition to a mere fear of illness.

The other options refer to different concepts within the realm of psychological and somatic disorders but do not capture the specific historical context of illness anxiety disorder.