Hypochondriasis (patient information)

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Editor-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S.,M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, M.B.B.S.

Hypochondria is a belief that physical symptoms are signs of a serious illness, even when there is no medical evidence to support the presence of an illness.

• People with hypochondria are unable to control their fears and worries. They often believe any symptom or sensation is a sign of a serious illness.

• They seek out reassurance from family, friends, or health care providers on a regular basis. They feel better for a short time at most, and then begin to worry about the same symptoms, or about new symptoms.

• Symptoms may shift and change, and are often vague. People with hypochondria often examine their own body.

• Those who are affected may recognize that their fear of having a serious disease is unreasonable or unfounded.

• People with hypochondria are overly focused on their physical health. They have an unrealistic fear of having a serious disease. This disorder occurs equally in men and women.

• The way people with hypochondria think about their physical symptoms can make them more likely to have this condition. As they focus on and worry about physical sensations, a cycle of symptoms and worry begins, which can be difficult to stop.

• It is important to realize that people with hypochondria do not purposely create these symptoms (malingering). They are unable to control the symptoms.

• People who have a history of physical or sexual abuse are more likely to have this disorder. However, this does not mean that every person with a hypochondria disorder has a history of abuse.

Call your health care provider if you or your child has symptoms of hypochondria.

• Physical examination to rule out illness
• Psychiatric evaluation to rule out other related disorders

• It is important to have a supportive relationship with a health care provider. You should have only one primary care provider to avoid having too many tests and procedures.

• The health care provider should tell you that you do not have a disease, but that continued medical follow-up will help control the symptoms. People with hypochondria feel real distress, so their symptoms should not be denied or challenged.

• Antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can help reduce the worry and physical symptoms of this disorder.

• Finding a mental health provider who has experience treating this disorder with talk therapy (psychotherapy) can be helpful. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a kind of talk therapy, can help you deal with your pain. During therapy, you will learn:

• To recognize what seems to make the symptoms worse
• To develop methods of coping with the symptoms
• To keep yourself more active, even if you still have symptoms

Directions to Hospitals Treating Hypochondriasis

The disorder is usually long-term (chronic), unless psychological factors or mood and anxiety disorders are treated.

• Complications from invasive testing to look for the cause of symptoms
• Dependence on pain relievers or sedatives
• Depression and anxiety or panic disorder
• Lost time from work due to frequent appointments with health care providers

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001236.htm

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