Hypochondria, a condition when you believe you have a serious disease even though you are healthy

Definition of hypochondria

What are hypochondria?

Hypochondria is excessive worry or obsession with the thought that you are or may be seriously ill, even though there may be no physical symptoms at all.

When you have this condition, you may believe that a normal body response or minor symptoms are symptoms of a serious illness, even though a medical examination does not show a serious condition.

Hypochondria is an anxiety disorder and / or somatization disorder, often referred to as health anxiety. If you have a medical condition or are at high risk of having one, you may be filled with anxiety.

You may have anxiety that the body's response to illness is a sign of a greater threat than it really is.

This excess anxiety, compared to the physical symptoms themselves, causes stress which can be very disturbing.

This disorder is a chronic disease that can vary in intensity of symptoms, possibly getting worse over time. However, psychological counseling (psychotherapy) and some medications can help relieve your anxiety.

How common is hypochondria?

Hypochondriasis can occur at any age, but the peak of the condition usually occurs during adolescence and during middle age. Men and women seem to have the same ratio of having this condition.

Hypochondria can be treated by reducing risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Hypochondrial signs & symptoms

The signs and symptoms of hypochondria can vary from person to person. Some of the common signs and symptoms of hypochondria include:

• Preoccupied with feeling you have a serious illness or health condition.
• Worrying that minor symptoms or bodily sensations mean you have a serious illness.
• Easily worry about your health status.
• Uneasy about a negative test result or a doctor's statement that you are well.
• Worry excessively about certain medical conditions or the risk of developing medical conditions due to the condition that runs in your family.
• Greatly stressed about possible illnesses that hinder your life.
• Repeatedly inspecting the body for signs of disease.
• Often seek medical consultations for certainty, or avoid medical treatment for fear of being diagnosed with a serious illness.
• Avoiding people, places, or activities for fear of health risks.
• Constantly talking about health and possible disease.
• Frequently search the internet for causes of symptoms or possible illnesses.

When should I see a doctor?

Early diagnosis and treatment can stop this condition from worsening and prevent other medical emergencies. So immediately talk to your doctor to prevent the condition from getting serious.

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Causes of hypochondria

There are 3 main causes that can cause hypochondria, namely:

1. Trust

You don't understand the meaning of the body's response or illness, or both. This can cause you to think that all of your body's responses are serious conditions, so you look for evidence to confirm that you have a serious illness.

2. Family

You are more likely to have anxiety if your parents are overly concerned about their health or yours.

3. Previous experience

You may have had a serious illness in your childhood that caused certain physical sensations to cause you to be afraid.

Risk factors for hypochondria

There are many factors that trigger you to have this anxiety condition, including:

• Severe stress.
• The threat of serious illness which turned out to be not serious.
• History of violence as a child.
• Serious illness when a child or parent has a serious illness.
• Personality who often feels worried.
• Excessive searching for information about health on the internet.
  

Hypochondrial complications

Hypochondria or illness that is not treated immediately can cause further problems, such as the following:

• Relationships with spouses or with families become problematic due to excessive worry, making other people frustrated.
• Work performance is disrupted due to frequent absences from work.
• Disabilities, because the anxiety experienced causes the body to not function normally.
• Financial problems because too often control your health to the doctor when there are no health problems.
• Experiencing other mental disorders, such as depression.

Hypochondria diagnosis & treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is hypochondria diagnosed?

If the doctor suspects you have this condition, several examinations and tests will be done, namely:

• Conduct a psychological exam to discuss symptoms, stressful situations, family history, concerns, relationship problems, and problems affecting your life.
• Provide you with a psychological assessment form or questionnaire.
• Ask about use of alcohol, drugs, or other substances.

How is hypochondria treated?

1. Psychological therapy (psychotherapy)

One type of psychotherapy therapy that can be used to treat hypochondriasis is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). According to the Cleveland Clinic, this therapy can help patients to deal with hypochondria and lead more productive lives.

Here are some of the benefits that can be obtained from overcoming the fear of illness with CBT:

• Help identify the fear of experiencing severe pain.
• Helping the patient be more aware of how excessive worry can affect his behavior.
• Change the way the patient responds to the symptoms that appear.
• Helping patients to be more courageous in facing various situations and conditions.

2. Use of drugs

The use of antidepressant drugs, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can treat anxiety disorders. Other drugs such as drugs to treat disorders mood and anxiety can also be consumed to help treat this condition.

Even so, always consult with your doctor about various medicinal uses.

Home remedies for hydochondria

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with hypochondria:

• Work with your doctor or psychiatrist to schedule regular consultations to discuss your concerns and build trust
• Practice stress management and relaxation techniques
• Be physically active
• Join the activity
• Avoid using alcohol and illegal drugs
• Avoid looking for possible diseases on the internet excessively

Too much health information that is not necessarily related to your situation can cause confusion and anxiety. If you have any worrisome symptoms, it's best to talk to your doctor at the next scheduled appointment.

Prevention of hypochondria

It seems that hypochondria is one of the mental conditions that can be prevented. At least, you can prevent it from experiencing it a second time. There are several ways you can try to prevent one of these types of anxiety disorders:

• If you think you have an anxiety disorder, seek professional medical help immediately.
• Learn to be more sensitive to stress and how your body responds to it.
• Follow the treatment plan that your doctor has put in place to prevent your anxiety disorder from getting worse.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.