Hypochondria is a mental health problem that is characterised by a person's strong conviction that they have, or are going to get, a serious illness or disease. Even scientific evidence and reassurance from the medical community can’t shake the hypochondriac's belief that he/she is ill. People with hypochondria base their beliefs that they are seriously ill on symptoms that are actually misinterpreted bodily sensations.
Facts About Hypochondria
The following are some facts about the condition known as hypochondria:
- Hypochondria may affect up to 6% of the general population;
- Hypochondria affects men and women equally;
- Hypochondria is most common between the ages of 20 and 30, although it is becoming increasingly common amongst children and adolescents;
- Hypochondria usually happens as a series of episodes rather than as one continuous episode;
- Approximately 5% of all people with hypochondria make a full and permanent recovery; and
- Many people with hypochondria also suffer from anxiety and depression.
Causes of Hypochondria
The exact cause of hypochondria isn’t yet known, but there have been a number of theories suggested for why it develops. One such theory is that hypochondria is caused by a biological hypersensitivity to internal stimuli. Another theory is that people who have experienced an organic disease are more likely to develop hypochondria. There may be a tendency, too, for hypochondria to run in families, with 8% of relatives of people with hypochondria also suffering from the disorder.
In adults, hypochondria may be caused by self-centredness or a strong desire to be cared for by another person. In children, hypochondria may be a case of mimicking the physical symptoms of other family members.
Signs and Symptoms of Hypochondria
The signs and symptoms of hypochondria can range from general to very specific. Most often, a person with hypochondria presents with multiple complaints about a particular body part or area. Their symptoms tend to reflect a preoccupation with normal bodily functions.
Generally, the person with hypochondria is able to describe symptoms in absolute minute detail, but the symptoms that they describe don’t follow a recognisable pattern of organic dysfunction and the symptoms are not associated with any abnormal physical findings. The person with hypochondria may well complain of different symptoms as the medical evaluation continues. Rather than being reassured when medical examinations reveal that nothing is wrong, a person with hypochondria instead tends to believe that the doctor has made a mistake in failing to find the cause of their symptoms.
Common signs of hypochondria include:
- An abnormal focus on bodily functions and sensations
- Anger, frustration and depression
- Frequent visits to the doctor despite being reassured that they are healthy
- Increased or intensified symptoms when they are around someone who is sympathetic
- Rejection of the idea that symptoms could be stress related
- Using symptoms to avoid difficult situations
Treatment of Hypochondria
The purpose of treatment in hypochondria is to help the person to lead a relatively normal life despite their distressing symptoms and fears. Once medical evaluation is completed, a person with hypochondria will usually be told that they don’t have a serious disease but that medical follow-up will help to control the symptoms. A diagnosis of hypochondria doesn’t make the disorder go away, but it can help alleviate some of the associated anxiety.
Most people with hypochondria resist any kind of psychiatric treatment even though therapy such as psychodynamic therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy can be helpful.
An Overview of Hypochondria
Hypochondria is a distressing condition that leaves people fearing that their normal bodily sensations are actually symptoms of a serious illness. Treatment is available, but it is rare that a person with hypochondria will accept any kind of psychiatric help for their condition. Only 5% of people with the disorder make a full recovery from hypochondria.
Sources:
Evans, D and Allen, H (2009), Mental Health Nursing Made Incredibly Easy, London, Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins.
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