Hypochondriasis

Hypochondriasis is a somatoform disorder characterized by the preoccupation with the idea that one has a serious disease or the fear of having a serious disease. The preoccupation is based on the misinterpretation of one or more bodily signs or symptoms
Hypochondriasis
Symptoms of Hypochondriasis

    1.Preoccupation with bodily functions (heartbeat, sweating)
    2.Preoccupation with minor physical complaints (small sore, occasional cough)
    3.Preoccupation with vague and ambiguous physical sensations (tired heart, aching veins)
    4. Numerous complaints about pain (headaches, stomach aches, back pains)
     5. Hypersensitive to any small physical changes in their body
    6. Concern with having a deadly disease such as AIDS or cancer
    7.Seeking repeated physical examinations, diagnostic tests, and reassurance from physicians
    8.Physician reassurance and medical tests do not decrease the concern
    9. Being alarmed if friends or family are diagnosed with a disease
    10. Seeking reassurance from friends and family about their physical symptoms
    11.Doing extensive research on the disease, such as reading medical journals
    12."Doctor-shopping"—Visiting numerous doctors who will "correctly" identify and treat them.
    12.Complaints that doctors and specialists were not good or were unable to find the problem.
    13.Repeatedly checking own body for signs of disease, such as monitoring blood pressure, pulse, doing breast exams         etc.
    14Avoiding certain foods or activities thought to cause the disease.


the prevalence of hypochondriasis is estimated to be between 4 to 9 percent in those seeking treatment in outpatient settings. It tends to begin in early adulthood and is usually chronic. It is equally common in males and females. It is important to understand that hypochondriasis is not a way of seeking attention from others by pretending to be sick. Individuals honestly believe that they are suffering from a medical condition and feel misunderstood. Most individuals are not concerned with the pain but rather with what the physical symptoms imply.
Current research conducted at our Institute as well as other facilities, indicates that techniques used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) are also effective for hypochondriasis. Cognitive therapy and exposure and response prevention (ERP) are the current psychological treatments of choice. Both individual and group treatments have proven successful. In addition, there are certain medications which might be helpful.