They would check their vital signs dozens of times everyday, relentlessly searching for symptoms of chronic or dangerous diseases. Despite doctors assuring them that they are free of illness, they continue to seek medical evaluation because they suffer from hypochondriasis.
Hypochondriasis is an anxiety disorder where the person is always so worried about their health that they cannot focus on anything else. Many hypochondriasis patients spend long times in healthcare facilities. Their excessive anxiety pushes them to consult several physicians in search for different diagnoses and to repeatedly conduct medical tests. Despite their normal test results and good health, they might doubt that the doctors did not pay attention to all details, or that the tests were not accurate. Alternatively, other people with hypochondriasis think doctors do not take them seriously, so they do not trust them and avoid seeing them.
Some habits would increase anxiety in people with this disorder. Examples include watching TV shows and online content related to health and diseases, or following news about individuals suffering from serious illnesses. Although the causes of the disorder are not yet specified, there are several factors that can contribute to it.
- A family history of anxiety disorders.
- Childhood traumas, such as abuse or neglect.
- Personality traits that tend toward excessive worry.
The disorder affects the lives of those who have it, impacting their personal and family relationships. Excessive anxiety causes those around them to feel stressed, as they constantly need reassurance that they are fine. They may also avoid socializing for fear of getting sick or catching an infection. They may suffer from insomnia as numerous thoughts about their health keep them from sleeping.
Treatment focuses on managing anxiety and improving the ability to carry out daily activities. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most prominent treatment method, as it helps patients:
- Identify the fears and beliefs that lead them to think they are ill or at risk of becoming ill.
- Raise awareness on how excessive anxiety can impact their lives.
- Change their response to the symptoms they feel and learn how to deal with them without over-interpreting or assuming they are signs of a serious illness.
- Learn the skills needed to cope with anxiety.
- Control the constant urge for repeated checkups or frequent visits to the doctor.
- In some cases, doctors might prescribe anti-depression medications or medications that improve mood and treat anxiety disorders.
People with the disorder can help themselves control excessive anxiety through some simple steps:
- Keep a record of how often they check their vital signs, seek reassurance from others, or search for health information online, and work on gradually reducing these behaviors.
- Writing down the thought that worries them and a realistic counter idea. For example, interpreting a headache as a symptom of a serious illness, versus the counter idea that it could simply be due to stress.
- Keeping busy with other activities such walking or practising hobbies when the urge to check vital signs arises.
- Resuming the activities, they stopped due to anxiety such as practicing sports and attending social occasions.
In conclusion, we must not confuse healthy anxiety with hypochondriasis. The former is important for maintaining one’s health and enabling early detection of disorders and diseases while the latter hinders a person from living a normal life. It takes awareness and patience to distinguish between the two and to enjoy a balanced life.
References
healthdirect.gov.au
mayoclinic.org
my.clevelandclinic.org
nhs.uk
psychologytoday.com
Cover image by Freepik