What is wrong with hypochondriacs?

What is wrong with hypochondriacs?

Hypochondriac Symptoms About two-thirds of hypochondriacs have a co-existing psychiatric disorder, such as panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), or major depression. Hypochondria symptoms can vary, depending on factors such as stress, age, and whether the person is already an extreme worrier.

What are the risk factors of hypochondria?

Risk factors may include: Age between 20 and 30 years. Serious childhood illness or trauma. Mental disorders, such as anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, personality disorders, and depression.

Can hypochondria cause health problems?

Even after medical tests show no problems, people with hypochondriasis are still preoccupied with the idea that think they’re seriously sick. Their persistent health worries can interfere with their relationships, careers and life. You may be more familiar with the term hypochondria or health anxiety.

What do you struggle with if you are a hypochondriac?

Hypochondriasis is defined as excessive worry about having a serious illness. It can be a big problem for many people and can significantly impact how you spend your time. Some common ways health anxiety can limit one’s quality of life and functioning include: Thinking about a symptom (or lack thereof) excessively.

How does hypochondria affect the brain?

Hypochondriasis: When Worrying About Your Health Takes Over Your Life. To someone with hypochondriasis, a headache means a brain tumor, while coughing must signal lung cancer. The person has lost sight of the difference between true symptoms and obsessing over developing an illness. A psychiatrist explains how to cope.

How do hypochondriacs act?

Hypochondria is often characterized by fears that minor bodily or mental symptoms may indicate a serious illness, constant self-examination and self-diagnosis, and a preoccupation with one’s body.

Does a hypochondriac feel real pain?

Pain: Hypochondriacs typically complain of mild or severe chest pain. It may be present constantly or recur throughout the day. Some people manage to live with it, while others may report intense pain and the feeling of tightness in the chest.

What should you not say to a hypochondriac?

What should you not say to someone with anxiety?

• “Stop worrying about it”
• “You’re an anxious person”
• “Why would you be anxious about that?”
• “Just don’t think about it”

Is there such a thing as hypochondriasis?

Illness Anxiety Disorder (Hypochondria, Hypochondriasis) 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.

Which is an example of a hypochondriac obsession?

Symptoms of Hypochondria / Health Anxiety vary widely from person to person. Some examples of common obsessions seen in Hypochondria / Health Anxiety are: thinking that a headache is indicative of a brain tumor. believing that a cough must be sign of lung cancer. assuming that a minor chest pain is a heart attack.

Is the prognosis for hypochondriasis always positive?

As for the prognosis, at least 1/3 of people with hypochondriasis experience a ‘significant improvement’ with their condition after getting treatment for the condition. That doesn’t mean getting treatment hypochondriasis is always a positive affair for most people.

How to deal with health anxiety and hypochondria?

While dealing with hypochondria isn’t always a simple matter of banishing distracting or unhelpful thoughts, it is possible to overcome. Whether you are healthy or have a medical condition, professional care can help soothe fears brought on by health anxiety.