Hypochondriacs experience extreme anxiety from the bodily responses most people take for granted. For example, they may be convinced that something as simple as a sneeze is the sign they have a horrible disease.
Why is it called hypochondriasis?
Hypochondria in Late Latin meant “the abdomen”. The term hypochondriasis for a state of disease without real cause reflected the ancient belief that the viscera of the hypochondria were the seat of melancholy and sources of the vapor that caused morbid feelings.
What is hypochondriasis called now?
In the updated edition, hypochondriasis and several related conditions have been replaced by two new, empirically derived concepts: somatic symptom disorder and illness anxiety disorder. They differ markedly from the somatoform disorders in DSM-IV.
Whats the definition of a hypochondriac?
noun. : a person who is often or always worried about his or her own health : a person affected by hypochondria or hypochondriasis. … comparing America’s addiction to polls to a hypochondriac’s obsessive monitoring of his pulse rate.
What is an example of hypochondriasis? – Related Questions
What is at the root of hypochondria?
Hypochondriac comes ultimately from the Greek word hypokhondria, which literally means “under the cartilage (of the breastbone).” In the late 16th century, when hypochondriac first entered the English language, it referred to the upper abdomen.
Is hypochondriasis a form of OCD?
While some people’s obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) focuses on their health, health anxiety (sometimes called hypochondriasis) is not a form of OCD, and OCD can involve thoughts and anxieties that aren’t related to illness. If you’re experiencing OCD, health anxiety, or both, effective treatments are available.
What does a hypochondriac act like?
Being preoccupied with having or getting a serious disease or health condition. Worrying that minor symptoms or body sensations mean you have a serious illness. Being easily alarmed about your health status. Finding little or no reassurance from doctor visits or negative test results.
What should you not say to a hypochondriac?
5 Things You Should Never Say to a Hypochondriac, According to a Therapist
- “It’s in your head.”
- Don’t commiserate with them.
- “I’m sure you’re fine.”
- Don’t be judgmental in what you say.
- “Maybe *this* is what’s wrong.”
How serious can hypochondria be?
How bad can hypochondria get? For some people, hypochondria can affect aspects of everyday life including making plans, traveling and work and bring on physical symptoms of anxiety. It can also cause people to avoid visiting their doctor for regular exams and check ups.
How do I stop being a hypochondriac?
These include:
- Increasing awareness of worry thoughts. Keeping a log of health anxiety thoughts can increase our awareness and help reduce the frequency of these thoughts.
- Understanding the overestimation tendency.
- Understanding evidence against health anxiety thoughts.
- Refraining from reassurance-seeking.
What mental illness causes hypochondria?
Illness anxiety disorder is a chronic mental illness previously known as hypochondria. People with this disorder have a persistent fear that they have a serious or life-threatening illness despite few or no symptoms. Medications and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can help.
Do hypochondriacs hurt themselves?
“Many of the symptoms that hypochondriacs feel are often physical sensations caused by anxiety or depression that can go along with hypochondria. The constant worrying can release harmful stress hormones and do real physical damage.”
Can hypochondria be cured?
Curing hypochondria, or the obsessive search for cures, does not happen instantly. It takes time, effort, and commitment to changing one’s life for the better. However, with therapy, medication if necessary, and positive lifestyle changes, you can train your mind to use its curative powers for good rather than ill.
What therapy is best for hypochondria?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Hypochondria is often characterized by seemingly irrational beliefs or concerns about a health symptom or condition. CBT helps people identify those beliefs and replace them with more rational and realistic thoughts.
Are hypochondriacs depressed?
A high percentage of patients with hypochondria also have major depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or generalized anxiety disorder.
How do you know if someone is a hypochondriac?
Being preoccupied with having a serious illness because of body symptoms that last for at least six months. Having a history of going to multiple doctors (also called “shopping around” for a doctor) to find one who will diagnosis the serious illness.
How common is hypochondria?
With 34.0% of women and 18.2% of men experiencing health anxiety at least “often,” it’s clear health anxiety plays a role in the lives of many Americans but women experience it more frequently, overall.
How do doctors deal with hypochondriacs?
Hypochondria is hard to treat, but experts have made progress. Several studies show that using antidepressants, such as Prozac and Luvox, can help. Antianxiety medications are also used to treat the disorder. Barsky and other researchers say that cognitive-behavioral therapy also works.
How do you comfort someone with hypochondria?
Don’t dwell on illness. Encourage them to verbalize fears about their health, but don’t join in. Be supportive, but don’t show too much concern and try to stay neutral in your answers. Express that you understand their struggle, without encouraging their obsessive thoughts.
Are hypochondriacs afraid of death?
Excessive fear of death appears to be an important characteristic of hypochondriasis (Starcevic, 2001). Patients with this disorder often report distressing thoughts and images of death and dying. In addition, fear of death has been linked to hypochondriasis both psychodynamically and philosophically.
