Hypochondria – causes, symptoms & therapy

Hypochondria

yHypochondria is a disease from the field of mental disorders. Affected people suffer from fears that lead to a severe reduction in quality of life.

What is hypochondria?

In the case of hypochondria, those affected fear that they are suffering from a physical illness. This is in contrast to the fact that there are no signs of the feared disease. Instead, it is an illusion that cannot be understood from a rational point of view.

In medical circles, pronounced hypochondria is spoken of when the patient’s fears have persisted for six months. In addition, the patient is preoccupied with his worries to such an extent that he can only carry out daily and professional tasks to a limited extent. Despite numerous examinations, the patient cannot be convinced that the feared illness is an illusion.

causes

In medicine, the causes of hypochondria are still not clear. However, experts assume that the disorder is triggered by an increased level of excitement. Affected persons show a psychophysiological reactivity before the fear breaks out. This means an increased perception threshold. It is associated with an increased heart rate in response to physical stimuli.In addition, potentially harmless events are recorded in an extremely negative way. The outbreak of hypochondria is also associated with difficult living conditions for those affected. Many patients report suffering from high levels of stress prior to the onset . In addition, there are drastic events, such as the death of a loved one or the separation of a partnership. In some circumstances, a move or a change of occupation can be used as a factor.

When to the doctor?

In the case of hypochondria, a doctor’s visit is necessary if the person concerned suffers from anxiety , inner restlessness or unusually heavy sweating. If you experience palpitations, an increase in blood pressure or increased irritability, you should consult a doctor. If there is emotional distress, mood swings or noticeable changes in behavior, a doctor should be consulted.

In depressive phases as well as in an aggressive appearance, medical support should be sought. A permanent experience of stress is considered worrying and should be medically clarified. If the ability to concentrate or pay attention falls so that everyday obligations remain uncompleted over a longer period of time, a medical examination is necessary.

symptoms and course

The advanced hypochondria is accompanied by physical complaints, which, however, only play a secondary role from a medical point of view. The focus is on psychological symptoms that manifest themselves over the course of the disease. One of the most important symptoms is the pronounced fear of being physically ill. In addition, those affected tend to see normal physical appearances as signs of the imagined illness. For example, an affected person may be concerned about an increased heartbeat, although the accelerated heartbeat is due to physical exertion.

In the advanced stage, sufferers change their treating physician after receiving negative results. Colloquially, the repeated change of doctor is referred to as “doctor hopping” and is seen as another symptom of hypochondria. It is also characteristic of hypochondria that the patients are afraid of a very specific disease. This could be cancer or an infection , for example . In severe cases, those affected even undergo risky surgeries in order to obtain possible clues.

Diagnose

In many cases, hypochondria is only diagnosed during the course of the disease. This is the case when negative results do not convince the patient and the doctor gets the impression that his patient is suffering from a mental disorder. The conversation between the patient and the treating doctor is then at the forefront of the diagnosis. The doctor finds out about the course of the disease and the living conditions of the patient. Enclosed the doctor writes about previous treatments and previously visited doctors. When examining psychological impairments and psychosocial stress, the doctor can consult a therapist. It is important that the patient agrees with the doctor’s procedure.

treatment and therapy

Treatment of hypochondria tends to be initiated only after several months and, in rare cases, even after years. First, patients must accept that they are suffering from a mental disorder. After a detailed discussion, hypochondriacs are referred to a psychotherapist by their family doctor. The aim of psychotherapy is to be able to deal with the suffering.

In addition, the hypochondriac learns to what extent his fears are related to his life circumstances. With the therapist, the patient works out the connections and the triggers of his disorder. He learns how his symptoms change, which situations cause a particularly high level of stress and how self-observation can be improved. As the treatment progresses, the therapist goes deeper into the patient’s inner conflicts. Meanwhile, the patient himself recognizes what conflicts are involved and when they manifested themselves. This may even go back to childhood, in which negative experiences were made in living with other people.

Part of the treatment is then to develop a new thought pattern. Negative views should be replaced with an optimistic perspective. The treatment can also be supplemented with autogenic training , progressive muscle relaxation or a sport. Group therapy, in which hypochondriacs share their own experiences, often helps. Self-help groups can also help the patient after successful therapy.

prevention

When it comes to prevention, it is important to pay more attention to your living conditions. This is particularly important when a critical event needs to be processed. Then it is advisable to stay in close contact with the family and with people close to you. If psychophysiological reactivity can also be perceived, psychotherapy should be sought.

It is also important to avoid stressful situations. Instead, it is worth pursuing a leisure activity. Sport is a particularly effective way to reduce stress. It is advisable to share the sport with friends and acquaintances.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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