(Hypochondriasis)
Definition
Definition
Hypochondria is a health anxiety disorder. It is often chronic. A person with hypochondria is often very anxious about their health. A hypochondriac fears that a real or imagined minor physical symptom is a sign of serious illness. Even when several doctors assure them otherwise, a hypochondriac is convinced that they have a serious disease. Psychiatric counseling and medications can relieve some, if not all, of the anxiety and suffering. Left untreated, hypochondria can be debilitating and affect daily function.
Causes
Causes
It is often difficult to identify a specific cause for hypochondria.
Risk Factors
Risk Factors
Factors that may increase your risk for getting hypochondria include:
- Family history of hypochondria
- Having a serious childhood illness
- Psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, or personality disorder
- Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse in childhood
- Observing violence in childhood
- Stressful experience with your own or a loved one’s illness
- History of personal traumatic experience
Brain—Psychological OrganChemical imbalances and traumatic life experiences may contribute to the development of hypochondria.
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Symptoms
Symptoms
Symptoms include:
- Chronic fear of serious illness
- Chronic fear that minor symptoms are signs of a serious illness
- Many physical complaints that often change over time
-
The disorder:
- Lasts at least six months
- Causes major distress
- Interferes with social life or work
-
You may:
- Check yourself frequently
- Make many doctor visits, sometimes in the same day
- Seek repeated tests for the same symptoms
- Repeatedly research information about specific illnesses and their symptom
- Change healthcare providers frequently
- Try multiple herbal remedies or other alternative treatments
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
You will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. If the exam shows no disease, your doctor may begin to suspect hypochondria. If further testing also fails to uncover a known medical condition, your doctor may diagnosis you with hypochondria if:
- Your fear of illness lasts for at least six months and does not improve with reassurance and negative testing
- No other psychological disorder is causing your fear
Treatment
Treatment
Physician Relationship and Monitoring
Effective treatment involves consistent, supportive care from one doctor, often along with a mental health professional. Finding a healthcare provider who is willing to listen to your concerns, provide support, and avoid needless testing is key to recovery.
You may feel overwhelmed by your symptoms. They may even seem to control your life. Schedule frequent visits, regardless of symptoms, with one doctor you can trust. Expect your doctor to:
- Validate your distress
- Be supportive
- Direct your attention away from symptoms and focus it on functioning in daily life
- Discourage a sense of dependency and disability
- Recommend psychiatric counseling and educational therapy
Psychological Counseling
Psychotherapy such as cognitive behavior therapy and behavioral stress management can be effective in treating hypochondria. This involves regular counseling with a psychotherapist to recognize false beliefs, understand anxiety, and stop anxious behaviors.
Medications
Antidepressant medications (such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants) may help relieve the symptoms of hypochondria, but there is limited evidence.
Prevention
Prevention
There are no guidelines to prevent hypochondria because the cause is not known.
RESOURCES:
American Psychiatric Association http://www.psych.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Psychological Association http://www.cpa.ca
References:
http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(11)62432-4/fulltext
Accessed November 11, 2014.
Antidepressant use in children, adolescents, and adults. US Food and Drug Administration website. Available at:
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/UCM096273
Updated August 12, 2010. Accessed November 11, 2014.
Greeven A, van Balkom AJ, et al. Cognitive behavior therapy and paroxetine in the treatment of hypochondriasis: a randomized controlled trial (Netherlands). Am J Psychiatry. 2007;164:91-99. Available at:
http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/article.aspx?articleid=97690
Accessed November 11, 2014.
Hypochondriasis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed
Updated October 29, 2014. Accessed November 11, 2014.
Psychotherapies for hypochondriasis. The Cochrane Collaboration website. Available at:
http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD006520/psychotherapies-for-hypochondriasis
Published July 8, 2009. Accessed November 11, 2014.
Last Updated: 12/20/2014