People have long realized the great importance that health plays in their lives. Overall physical well-being allows one to function properly and face daily challenges. It is therefore not worth questioning whether we should take care of ourselves. Health checkups, physical activity, adequate sleep and proper eating habits are just some of the recommendations of doctors that are worth implementing. After all, well-being and the absence of disease cannot be bought for ourselves, no matter how much money we have. However, it can get to the point where concern for health turns into an unhealthy obsession…
Find out what hypochondria is and how to deal with excessive anxiety about one’s health?
Hypochondria – one’s own health a source of anxiety
What is hypochondria? It can be otherwise described as anxiety about one’s own health. While most of us are interested in our own condition and pay attention to health topics and problems, for a hypochondriac, one’s own health is the center not only of interest, but also of deep anxiety.
Hypochondria belongs to the group of somatoform disorders and involves an abnormal evaluation of one’s bodily symptoms. It involves constant concentration on the functioning of one’s organs and observation of bodily signals. Based on these, one develops a belief in the existence of serious illnesses or being susceptible to them.
A disturbed perception of one’s own health is also characterized by the presence of fears that are out of proportion to the actual condition. Health anxiety is completely inadequate, given the symptoms. Due to the anxiety itself, some of the symptoms felt and attributed to other conditions may also appear, such as accelerated heartbeat, neuralgia, excessive sweating.
Hypochondriac – an example of health anxiety
Anna, a 34-year-old woman, has noticed for some time that she often experiences headaches, nausea and a general feeling of fatigue. Instead of ignoring these symptoms, Anna began searching the Internet for information about her ailments. She began to believe that she had a serious brain disease or cancer. Despite visiting doctors and performing a series of tests to rule out the existence of serious conditions, Anna could not believe that her symptoms were the result of simple stress and exhaustion. She became obsessively concerned about her health, constantly monitoring her body for new symptoms and looking for further confirmation of illness.
In this example, Anna exhibits typical features of hypochondria, such as:
- Obsessive thoughts about her health.
- Excessive concern about ordinary physical symptoms.
- A constant search for information about her health, often using the Internet.
- Difficulty accepting medical diagnoses and not believing that symptoms are the result of stress or fatigue.
Illness. When every signal becomes an alarm…
If we wanted to portray the feeling of health concerns as a characteristic of every person, we could observe different severity depending on the person. While mild and moderate degrees are desirable, a shift to extremes raises dangers. A complete absence could involve downplaying serious symptoms and avoiding doctors like fire. Exaggerated severity, on the other hand, equals disproportionate concern.
No one doubts that if a person who has previously suffered a heart attack calls an ambulance at the onset of chest pain, they are acting sensibly. However, when an emergency number is dialed by someone who claims to need urgent help because he is experiencing a slight headache, we are dealing with an overreaction. In the hypochondriac’s mind, even a barely perceptible spot on the body, a small bruise or slight discomfort grows into a dangerous ailment.
Symptoms of hypochondria
Excessive focus on health
Health affects the quality of a person’s life and is one of the most important parts of it. However, by focusing on only one part, we ignore the others. A hypochondriac is a person who does not strive for the golden mean – the moderation between extreme ignorance and extreme concentration. His disproportionate medical fear for his own health paradoxically has little to do with health. It is impossible to show him that he doesn’t need to worry about every little thing and see it as a deadly threat.
Making wrong diagnoses
Diagnosing oneself involves making numerous mistakes. That’s why, in this regard, it’s best to trust doctors who have gained knowledge and experience over the years, rather than making hasty conclusions based on isolated symptoms. A hypochondriac constantly notices even the slightest changes and dissects such bodily activities as sweating or a faster heartbeat. Based on these, he concludes the existence of serious diseases that wreak havoc on his body. He puts together even completely mismatched elements and insists on the diagnosis he has made.
Constant anxiety
A hypochondriac experiences general anxiety as he worries about his physical condition. His head is constantly filled with negative thoughts, such as “I’m definitely sick,” “nothing can help me anymore,” “it’s incurable.” This does not go unnoticed in his overall well-being, social functioning and professional functioning. When every day is associated with overpowering tension, he may wonder “why am I constantly haunted by anxiety about my health?”.
Selective treatment of information
A person with hypochondria often uses medical terms and knows a lot of elaborate information about various diseases. He reads medical literature or digs through page after page of an Internet search engine (this phenomenon has even earned the name cyberchondria). However, he treats facts about individual diseases very selectively. In turn, by reaching out to unverified sources, such as online forums, he can easily find confirmation of his fears and harmful myths that heighten his dismay.
Inadequate reactions
A hypochondriac can conclude that a cough during the cold season is a symptom of progressive tuberculosis, and that poisoning caused by eating a bad dish is a rare chronic stomach ailment. A one-time occurrence of a slight headache, which will not cause exaggerated emotion in most people, for a hypochondriac may be grounds for concluding that an inoperable tumor is growing in his brain.
Concern despite exclusion of the disease
The lack of confirmation from specialists does not bring solace to a person with hypochondriac disorder. Not only do the fears not go away, but they may even increase. The patient’s reaction to the doctor’s positive news and assurances of good health is disappointment. Failure to make a specific diagnosis is a gateway to doubting the competence of a particular specialist and going to the next one in hopes of a more accurate diagnosis. A patient with hypochondria may also announce that he is an extremely rare case and is suffering from an as yet unknown disease. He wants a repeat of the tests performed or more extensive diagnostics.
The vicious circle of anxiety
The thought of the disease may come suddenly or be triggered by information in the media or hearing a casual conversation. It leads to a belief that one is ill and a search for somatic symptoms to provide confirmation. The hypochondriac intepretes normal reactions as pathological, making him feel intense anxiety. He starts looking at his body in detail, making doctor’s appointments and seeking more information about the disease. Doing these things, he creates blacker and blacker scenarios and finds further “deviations from the norm” in his body. He then fuels a vicious cycle of health anxiety.
Intrusive thoughts
Persistent thoughts that cannot be gotten rid of can be related to various aspects. A person struggling with health anxiety is notoriously preoccupied with analyzing his condition and devotes all his attention to it. He thinks about danger factors that he had the least chance to encounter (for example, sunlight leading to skin cancer or ticks causing Lyme disease). She remembers the bodily reactions that aroused her vigilance and tries to combine them with the information she has about various diseases.
A range of health-oriented activities
Every hypochondriac has a spectrum of behaviors that they respond to increasing anxiety. Some search online resources or peruse medical textbooks to base a self-diagnosis on the information they acquire, while others queue up at the clinic every morning. Disclosed behaviors may also include constantly observing one’s own body, looking at oneself in the mirror, checking birthmarks and scars, taking temperature and blood pressure. Depending on which organ or system the hypochondriac is focused on, the behavioral repertoire undertaken will vary.
Causes of hypochondria. Where does hypochondria come from?
There are many causes of health anxiety, and it is difficult to pinpoint the most common one. Among the possible explanations are:
- egocentrism combined with anxiety – paying too much attention to oneself and focusing on everything related to one’s own body;
- traumatic past events – experiences that surpassed the cognitive and emotional capacity that led to the trauma;
- abnormal patterns brought up from home – living for many years with overprotective parents who elevated harmless symptoms to dangerous illnesses;
- observing a family member struggling with a terminal illness in the past;
- tendencies to overreact, which lead to responding to threats from the environment with fear.
Depression vs. symptom, related to health anxiety
Severe health anxiety can be directly linked to the presence of depression. The sufferer, with lowered mood, running away from people and closing in on themselves, is more likely to focus on their body. If hypochondria is accompanied by prolonged lowered mood, lack of energy, decreased motivation, sluggishness and apathy, the inclusion of antidepressant treatment may be a necessity.
Diagnosis of hypochondria
The diagnosis of hypochondria is usually made by a specialist psychiatrist or psychologist, who will conduct a comprehensive mental evaluation and interview with the patient. Here are some steps that may be part of the diagnostic process:
- Clinical interview. The specialist interviews the patient to understand the exact symptoms, fears and thoughts associated with the anxiety of the disease. It is important to determine whether the symptoms have a physical basis or are the result of anxiety or fear.
- Diagnostic criteria. Professionals use diagnostic criteria from the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) diagnostic manual published by the American Psychiatric Association. According to the DSM-5, hypochondria is a neurotic disorder, and is defined as a somatization disorder that requires meeting certain diagnostic criteria, such as chronic concerns about a serious illness that are not justified by the presence of an illness, and anxiety and fear related to one’s health.
- Psychological assessment. A specialist may conduct a psychological evaluation, which may include psychological tests, anxiety or depression rating scales, to better understand the patient’s overall mental state and functioning.
Exclusion of other mental disorders
It is important to rule out other mental disorders, such as anxiety disorders, depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder, which may accompany hypochondria or be confused with it. It is important to differentiate hypochondria from other disorders ,such as somatization pain disorder, actual health disorders and somatic diseases, masked depression, generalized anxiety syndrome or obsessive-compulsive disorder .
The patient vs. the family
Functioning alongside a hypochondriac is exhausting. Relatives complain about the burden they have to face every day as they are kept informed of abnormalities the person with health anxiety sees in himself. These are often long and accurate stories. Besides, partners and children quickly realize that it’s hard to talk about anything else, because sooner or later the topic will start to be about health. When the family gets tired of hearing more sickness stories and tries to convince the hypochondriac that his attitude is characterized by telling himself he’s sick, he gets indignant. Messages such as “nothing is wrong with you” and “don’t exaggerate anymore” are perceived as lack of understanding and scant interest. This leads to constant conflict and powerlessness on both sides.
While loved ones would not want to be constantly bombarded with the hypochondriac’s reports of further illnesses detected in themselves, it is worth realizing that this is often a way to gain interest. A person with health anxiety feels safer when he is surrounded by concern and others are concerned about his well-being. On the other hand, when she hears that she is simulating, her hypochondria may even intensify.
Hypochondria – Treatment. The path to freedom from anxiety
Exaggerating about health will not make us healthier at all. On the contrary, it takes away our enjoyment of life, introduces stress and anxiety as daily elements and makes us stop enjoying the days ahead in fear of the diseases lurking around. However, is hypochondria treatable?
Fortunately, hypochondriac disorder is not a verdict that derails our entire lives and condemns us to function with anxiety for the rest of our days. There are effective ways to break free from it and start enjoying life again. So what can be done? How to win against hypochondria?
Health anxiety – cognitive-behavioral therapy
As with other anxiety disorders, it is best to seek specialized help. The longer we delay, the more anxiety will take control and subjugate our daily life.
According to the CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy) model, health anxiety, also known as hypochondria or somatization disorder, is analyzed and treated as part of the general model of anxiety disorders.
This model, called the Salkovskis model, includes the following:
- Biological factors. These include genetic predisposition and the body’s physiological responses to stress. In the case of health anxiety, there may be genetic and neurochemical predispositions that predispose an individual to respond to health-related stimuli in an excessively anxious manner.
- Cognitive factors. Salkovis and colleagues emphasize the important role of thoughts and beliefs in shaping health anxiety. People with a tendency toward hypochondria may interpret ordinary physical complaints as symptoms of serious illnesses or threats to their health.
- Behavioral factors. CBT models also focus on the behaviors and coping strategies of people with health anxiety. People with the disorder may seek excessive medical advice, avoid activities that seem to increase the risk of illness, or constantly monitor their bodies for symptoms.
- Emotional factors. Health anxiety is often associated with strong emotions such as fear, anxiety and even panic associated with thoughts of illness and physical ailments.
In therapy based on the CBT model, patients learn to identify and challenge their negative thoughts about health, replacing them with more realistic and positive beliefs. In addition, therapists help patients develop healthier coping strategies, such as relaxation techniques, stress reduction techniques and gradual exposure to anxiety-provoking situations in a controlled manner. CBT psychotherapy may also focus on working on possible comorbid disorders, such as depression, neurosis or personality disorders, which can coexist with health anxiety.
How to deal with hypochondria
Dealing with hypochondria can be difficult, but there are effective strategies that can help manage health anxiety. Here are some suggestions:
- Get therapeutic support. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is often an effective treatment for hypochondria. A therapist will help you identify and change negative thoughts and behaviors associated with health anxiety. It is a good idea to seek help for this anxiety disorder.
- Take medication if necessary. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe anti-anxiety medications or antidepressants, such as for depressive conditions or severe anxiety.
- Be aware of your thoughts and reactions. Learn to recognize when your thoughts and reactions become excessive or disproportionate. Consider whether your worries are legitimate or based on anxiety.
- Limit your Internet browsing. Avoid searching the Internet for information about symptoms or diseases. You can often find disturbing or untrue information that can increase anxiety.
- Limit visits to the doctor. Limit the frequency of your visits to the doctor, especially if tests have shown you to be healthy. Constantly seeking confirmation of illness can increase anxiety.
- Find healthy ways to cope with stress. Regular physical activity, relaxation techniques (e.g., meditation, deep breathing) and adequate sleep can help reduce overall stress and anxiety levels.
- Lead a healthy lifestyle. A healthy diet, regular physical activity and avoiding stimulants can help maintain good physical and mental health.
- Consider a support group. Participating in a support group for people with health anxiety can give you the opportunity to share your experiences and learn from others how to cope with hypochondria.
With the right help, you can overcome hypochondria. Don’t forget that the most important thing is to become aware of the problem and start taking action. As Anthony de Mello said: “You will never rise above what you don’t want to look in the eye.” Taking the right action will allow you to eliminate the tension inherent in your functioning so far.
Without fear, you will both benefit – you and your health.
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