Form: Short Health Anxiety Inventory, SHAI

1. I worry about my health...
never
occasionally
much of the time
most of the time
2. Compared to other people my age, I noticed aches and pains...
less than most other people
as much as most other people
more than most other people
in my body all the time
3. Which statement best describes your awareness of bodily sensations or changes?
As a rule I am not aware of bodily sensations or changes
Sometimes aware
Often aware
Constantly aware
4. I can resist thoughts of illness...
without a problem
most of the time
I try to resist thoughts of illness but am often unable to do so
thoughts of illness are so strong that I no longer even try to resist them
5. I am afraid of having a serious illness...
not at all
sometimes
often
always
6. I have images (mental pictures) of myself being ill...
never
occasionally
frequently
constantly
7. I have difficulty taking my mind off thoughts about my health...
never
sometimes
often
always – nothing can take my mind off thoughts about my health
8. If my doctor tells me there is nothing wrong, I am...
lastingly relieved
initially relieved but the worries sometimes return later
initially relieved but the worries always return later
not relieved if my doctor tells me there is nothing wrong
9. When I hear about an illness, I think I have it myself...
never
sometimes
often
always
10. If I have a bodily sensation or change, I wonder what it means...
rarely
often
always
if I have a bodily sensation or change I must know what it means
11. I usually feel my risk of developing a serious illness is...
very low
fairly low
moderate
high
12. I think I have a serious illness...
never
sometimes
often
usually
13. If I notice an unexplained bodily sensation, I...
don't find it difficult to think about other things
sometimes find it difficult to think about other things
often find it difficult to think about other things
always find it difficult to think about other things
14. My family or friends would say I...
do not worry enough about my health
have a normal attitude to my health
worry too much about my health
am a hypochondriac
15. For the following questions, please think about what it might be like if you had a serious illness of a type which particularly concerns you (such as heart disease, cancer, multiple sclerosis, etc). Obviously you cannot know for certain what it would be like; but please give your best estimate of what you think might happen, basing your estimate on what you know about yourself and serious illness in general.
If I had a serious illness I would...
still be able to enjoy things in my life quite a lot
still be able to enjoy things in my life a little
be almost completely unable to enjoy things in my life
be completely unable to enjoy life at all
16. If I developed a serious illness, I think the chances that modern medicine would be able to cure me are...
good
moderate
small
no chance
17. A serious illness would ruin my life in...
some aspects
many aspects
almost every aspect
every aspect
18. If I had a serious illness, I would feel that I had...
not lost my dignity
lost a little of my dignity
lost quite a lot of my dignity
totally lost my dignity

The presented answer sheet is not an original form and is not intended for printing or use as a handout.