What is hypochondria

Hypochondria Hypochondria (or harthoarditis , sometimes referred to as health anxiety / health phobia ) refers to an excessive preoccupation or worry about having a serious illness. Often, hypochondria persists even after a physician has ev…

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Hypochondria is a belief that real or imagined physical symptoms are signs of a serious illness, despite medical reassurance and other evidence to the contrary.

http://www.phoebeputney.com/information/healthlibrary/hie/001236sym.asp

Hypochondria is simply a mental problem when one thinks that they are constantly ill or injured. A hypochondriac generally is always checking vital signs such as heart rate. I am a slight hypochondriac but i don’t think that it’s anything t…

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090115172603AAmQoVu

Related Questions Answered on Y!Answers

Hypochondria?

Q: I have hypochondria and I also believe that I have very mild OCD, because it’s only with certain things but it will REALLY bother me unless it’s fixed (also some people in my family have OCD). Is there anything that can actually cause things like Hypochondria and OCD? Because I know a lot of people aren’t just born with stuff like this. So why do they end up “getting” it?

A: I believe you can develop some of the OCD symptoms by being around people with OCD. If your family has that, then you could have picked up certain things from them. A good place to look is on webmd, just look up OCD

What is hypochondria and why do I suffer from it and depression/anxiety?

Q: I think it bothers my best friend and am trying to control it; however, it’s hard to do. Anyone have hypochondria? How are you coping?

A: Its like an obsessive complusive disorder, that you find impossible to control. I think it fear of dying that does it, thats probably why you depressed and have anxiety. If your seeing someone for your depression mention this to them. Tell your friend whats going on, and that you want help. I imagine the worst when I find that i’m sick or find a lump, I think its prepares me for the worst.

Anybody know any helpful websites dealing with the psychological disorder hypochondria?

Q: I have a mild to moderate case of hypochondria and I was wondering if anybody else can relate; and post links to helpful websites. Recently I had abnormal lab results and have spent hours each day for the past three months trying to tell myself I have certain diseases. I always try to diagnose myself with the most serious diseases. Its very frustrating, and it doesn’t help matters. I could possible have OCD too.

A: Hypochondria — the conviction that one is ill, despite all evidence to the contrary — affects as much as 5% of the U.S. population, according to the American Psychological Association. It often starts in a person’s 20s and can be triggered by a medical scare or the illness of a friend or relative. It then can wax and wane over a person’s life, flaring up during stressful times. It affects men and women equally.”Hypochondriacs get caught in a cycle,” says Arthur J. Barsky, MD, professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and author of Stop Being Your Symptoms and Start Being Yourself. “The more they worry about a symptom, the worse it gets.” They’re often highly attuned to bodily sensations that most people ignore. Every ache, every cough, every stomach gurgle is evidence of something going catastrophically wrong.Hypochondriacs don’t just dwell on their disease, they act. They scour the Internet for information, earning some the moniker “cyberchondriacs.” They demand lab tests from irritated doctors. They talk about it relentlessly.Many of them can even admit that their fears don’t make sense. In fact, the symptoms associated with hypochondria are not under the person’s voluntary control. I hope this helps!BEST WISHES!