Hypochondriasis is a mental disorder where an individual believes they have a serious illness, even if there is no evidence to support it. Symptoms include excessive concern about health and physical symptoms lasting at least six months. Treatment is difficult, but a supportive physician can help control the disorder. Hypochondriasis can cause serious problems in an individual’s life.
Hypochondriasis, also known as hypochondriasis or health phobia, is a mental disorder in which an individual believes that a real or imagined physical disorder means the presence of a serious, often life-threatening illness. This irrational fear usually cannot be dispelled by reason or the word of a doctor or other medical professional. Even if an individual suffering from hypochondriasis has some form of disease or condition, it usually makes them seem much worse than they actually are. People with hypochondriasis are generally referred to as hypochondriacs.
There are a variety of symptoms that can indicate a case of hypochondriasis. Typically, excessive concern about health and physical symptoms must last at least six months to be considered a legitimate mental illness; transient worries are not indicative of any major ailment. Worry about the symptoms of various illnesses is usually the biggest indicator of the disorder; a hypochondriac can spend hours each day looking for symptoms. A hypochondriac will also begin to imagine that they have such symptoms, whether or not physical symptoms exist. The symptoms reported by a hypochondriac are often vague and can change from day to day.
A hypochondriac may have a difficult or unpleasant relationship with his or her doctor. He may strongly disagree with his doctor if he is told that he is not suffering from any serious illness. He’s especially likely to be upset if his doctor actually diagnoses him with hypochondriasis. Often, he may try to switch doctors or at least get a second opinion, only to get more upset after hearing the same results.
Treatment for hypochondriasis can be difficult, as it is often a chronic disorder. There is no known specific cause for the disorder, and it is often not entirely curable unless an underlying physical or psychological cause is discovered and treated. Usually, a good relationship with a supportive physician is the best means of controlling hypochondriasis. If the doctor says there isn’t a major condition but promises to continue following up on symptoms, the hypochondriac can often find some level of comfort. If the doctor were to deny the existence of any symptoms, however, the hypochondriac would likely become very upset.
Hypochondriasis can cause serious problems in an individual’s life. He may become so preoccupied with his perceived impending fate that he is unable to focus on his daily activities. Also, if your doctor knows about your condition, they may be overlooking a real serious problem that will present itself at some point in the future.
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