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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffSigns and symptoms of hypochondria include:
- Excessive fear or anxiety about having a particular disease or condition
- Worry that minor symptoms mean you have a serious illness
- Seeking repeated medical exams or consultations
- "Doctor shopping," or frequently switching doctors
- Frustration with doctors or medical care
- Strained social relationships
- Obsessive health research
- Emotional distress
- Frequent checking of your body for problems, such as lumps or sores
- Frequent checking of vital signs, such as pulse or blood pressure
- Inability to be reassured by medical exams
- Thinking you have a disease after reading or hearing about it
- Avoidance of situations that make you feel anxious, such as being in a hospital
Different intensities of hypochondria
Hypochondria can vary in intensity. When you have hypochondria, you may be absolutely sure that you have a certain disease, and getting a diagnosis becomes your primary focus in life. You visit numerous doctors and specialists. If one doctor tells you that you aren't sick, you don't believe it and seek out other opinions. You may seek numerous tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), echocardiograms or even exploratory surgery. You may think that the lack of a diagnosis means you're getting poor medical care. You may relentlessly talk about your symptoms or suspected diseases with family and friends.
On the flip side, you may be so fearful that something's wrong that you can't bear to go to the doctor because you believe you'll get bad news.
Or you may have a less intense form of hypochondria. Your worry may always be at the back of your mind even if it doesn't compel you to make frequent medical appointments to find a diagnosis.
When to see a doctor
One of the hallmarks of hypochondria is frequent medical visits. At some point, a doctor, nurse or other health care professional may suggest that you visit a mental health provider for evaluation. Instead, you may simply find a new doctor or nurse.
When you have hypochondria, it seems to make no sense to visit a mental health professional because you know that you have a medical disease. But try to keep an open mind. Be willing to consider the possibility that you have hypochondria. Ask trusted family and friends if they think you'd benefit from a mental health evaluation.
If you realize that your pursuit of a medical diagnosis has essentially taken over your life, that you worry constantly about your health, or that you don't believe doctors who tell you that you're in good health, consider talking to a mental health provider.
Getting diagnosed is important because it can help you get started in treatment earlier. Delaying treatment can allow the hypochondria to become more severe, making it more difficult to treat.
Helping a loved one
If you have a loved one who you think may have symptoms of hypochondria, have an open and honest discussion about your concerns. You may not be able to force someone to seek professional care, but you can offer encouragement and support. You can also help your loved one find a qualified doctor or mental health provider and make an appointment. You may even be able to go to an appointment with him or her.
- Hypochondriasis. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association, 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Oct. 28, 2008.
- Oyama O, et al. Somatoform disorders. American Family Physician. 2007;76(9):1333-1338.
- Abramowitz JS, et al. Hypochondriasis: Conceptualization, treatment, and relationship to obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychiatric Clinics of North America 2006;29:503-519.
- Bouman TK, et al. A psychoeducational approach to hypochondriasis: Background, content, and practice guidelines. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice. 2008;15:231-243.
- Thomson AB, et al. Psychotherapies for hypochondriasis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2007:CD006520.
- Harding KJ, et al. Advances in understanding illness anxiety. Current Psychiatry Reports. 2008;10:311-317.
- Greenberg DB, et al. Somatization disorder. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 10, 2008.
