What does the concern in illness anxiety disorder persist despite?

In illness anxiety disorder, individuals exhibit an intense worry about having a serious illness, despite the absence of significant medical evidence to support their fears. This concern persists even when medical reassurance is provided by healthcare professionals, indicating that the individual continues to believe that they are ill despite being told otherwise. Medical reassurance typically involves doctors assuring the patient that their symptoms do not point to a serious health issue, but this validation does not alleviate the anxiety seen in illness anxiety disorder. The condition stems more from cognitive distortions and heightened sensitivity to bodily sensations rather than actual medical problems, which explains why even professional reassurances are insufficient to diminish the individual's preoccupation with their health concerns.