HEALTH ANXIETY (HYPOCHONDRIA)

Overview and Facts

Health anxiety (hypochondria), often known as an illness anxiety disorder, is characterized by an overwhelming fear of getting gravely sick, even when no medical symptoms exist. Excessive anxiety may cause considerable suffering and disturbance in one’s life. The severity of this long-term illness varies and might worsen with age or stress.

Psychotherapy and medicine may help to reduce health anxiety (hypochondria). However, in order to successfully manage this disease, it is essential to seek expert assistance from a mental health professional.

Types and Symptoms

SYMPTOMS

Health anxiety (hypochondria) symptoms include obsession with the concept that you’re dangerously unwell based on typical bodily sensations (such as a rumbling stomach) or modest indicators (such as a tiny rash). Signs and symptoms might involve the following:

  • Feeling concerned that modest symptoms or bodily feelings indicate a major disease
  • Findings provide little or no comfort from doctor visits or negative test outcomes
  • Checking your body for symptoms of sickness or disease regularly
  • Avoiding individuals, locations, or activities due to health concerns
  • Searching the internet often for reasons of symptoms or potential diseases
  • Worrying about having or getting a serious disease or medical condition
  • Worrying excessively about a particular medical issue or your chance of having a health problem since it runs in your family
  • Extremely worrying about potential sicknesses that you can’t function
  • Making frequent medical checkups for comfort — or delaying medical treatment because you are afraid of being diagnosed with a severe disease
  • Constantly discussing your health and potential diseases

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

A physical test prescribed by your healthcare physician may be used to diagnose health anxiety (hypochondria). They may aid in diagnosing medical disorders and reduce lab tests, imaging, and recommendations to experts. A mental health expert may do a psychiatric examination, inquire about drug use, and decide if the sickness obsession is described better by another mental condition, like generalized anxiety disorder or somatic symptom disorder.

TREATMENT

While receiving regular treatment from the physician, the healthcare practitioner may cooperate with a mental health expert to manage the health anxiety (hypochondria).
Treatment aims to enhance the quality of life by minimizing symptoms. Among the treatment possibilities are:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may help you resolve your concerns and anxieties and discover appropriate coping strategies.
  • Antidepressants may help you feel less nervous and sad.

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