Hypochondria

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For the anatomical term, see hypochondrium.

Hypochondria (or hypochondriasis, sometimes referred to as health anxiety or health phobia) is a somatoform disorder in which one has the unfounded belief that one is suffering from a serious illness. Hypochondria is often characterized by irrational fears of being diseased/dying, obsessions over minor bodily symptoms or imperfections, doubt and disbelief in doctors' diagnosis, constant self-examination and self-diagnosis and preoccupation with one's body. Hypochondriacs often require constant reassurance, sometimes from multiple doctors, family and friends.

Hypochondria is often associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety, and can also be brought on by stress. It is not to be confused with Munchausen syndrome or other Factitious disorders, in which an individual intentionally fakes, exaggerates, or induces mental or physical illnesses, in order to assume the role of a "patient".

1 Etymology
2 Effects
3 Treatment
4 Tips for hypochondriacs
5 Factors contributing to hypochondria
6 External links

[edit] Etymology

The term hypochondria comes from the Greek hypo- (below) and chondros (cartilage - of the breast bone). The term was originally used to describe unidentifiable stomach pains. It was thought by ancient Greek physicians that such pains were caused by the movement of the spleen, an organ located near the hypochondrium (the upper region of the abdomen just below the ribs on either side of the epigastrium).

During the 19th century the term evolved to be the male counterpart to hysteria.

[edit] Effects

Hypochondria can cause one or more of the following effects:

Anxiety attacks or panic attacks
Depression
Fear of impending doom
Loss of appetite
Decreased libido
Increased self-consciousness
Decreased motivation in life.
Numbness in certain parts of the body (forehead, hands, etc)
Chronic fatigue

[edit] Treatment

There is some evidence that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and antidepressants can alleviate severe hypochondria.

[edit] Tips for hypochondriacs

Sufferers of hypochondria may benefit from one or more of the following exercises:

Keeping a journal describing what led to the anxiety attacks or panic
Talking with friends or family members, and taking a different perspective on the symptoms
Tracking the triggering factors of anxiety, and avoiding them (e.g. self-diagnosis, reading about symptoms: stay off the Internet!)
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and positive outlook. A good tip is to follow the PEAS tool sometimes used to combat depression: Pleasure, Exercise, Achievement and Socialising - try to add an aspect of each to daily activities. Exercise is especially important.
Taking Magnesium pills help against the panic attacks and help suppress them.
Make sure sufficient sleep is attained every night.

[edit] Factors contributing to hypochondria

Cyberchondria is a colloquial term for hypochondria in individuals who have researched medical conditions on the internet. The media and the internet often contribute to hypochondria, as articles, TV shows and advertisements regarding serious illnesses such as cancer and multiple sclerosis (some of the common diseases hypochondriacs think they have) often portray these diseases as being random, obscure and somewhat inevitable. This only allows the hypochondriac to reinforce the idea that they actually have that illness. It is common for deaths of family members or friends to trigger hypochondria in certain individuals. Similarly, when approaching the age of a parent's premature death from disease, many otherwise healthy, happy individuals fall prey to hypochondria. These individuals believe they are suffering from the same disease that caused their parent's death, sometimes causing panic attacks with corresponding symptoms.

Major disease outbreaks or predicted pandemics can also contribute to hypochondria. Statistics regarding certain illnesses, such as cancer, will give hypochondriacs the illusion that they are more likely to develop the disease. A simple suggestion of mental illness can often trigger one with hypochondria to obsess over the possibility.