Which disorder leads to significant anxiety about physical health without a clear medical cause?

The disorder that leads to significant anxiety about physical health without a clear medical cause is Somatic Symptom Disorder. This condition is characterized by an intense focus on physical symptoms, such as pain or fatigue, that cause emotional distress and impairment, despite these symptoms not being fully explained by a medical condition. Individuals with Somatic Symptom Disorder genuinely experience the symptoms, which can lead to excessive worry regarding their health, medical interventions, and various diagnoses.

This disorder differs from others like Major Depression, Dissociative Identity Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder, which have different core features and are centered around mood or identity rather than primarily physical health concerns. In contrast, the emphasis in Somatic Symptom Disorder is directly on the relationship between psychological states and physical sensations, illustrating the mind-body connection and how psychological distress can manifest as physical symptoms.