Those struggling with mental health are often told they “just need to go outside more” or should “get some sun.” While it’s invalidating to assume that sunlight will magically resolve mental health issues, is there any merit to these claims?
Health anxiety, also referred to as “Illness Anxiety Disorder”(IAD) in the DSM-5, is characterized by excessive worry about having or getting a serious illness. Oftentimes, these beliefs are based on very little or no physical symptoms. However, IAD can cause hyperawareness of the body, making subtle symptoms feel much more persistent.