Hypochondriasis

Hypochondriasis is an overwhelming fear of having a serious disease. It is also called illness anxiety disorder or health anxiety. You may have no symptoms of a disease or perhaps minimal symptoms, but you will be convinced that you are seriously ill. Even if you go to a doctor and no illnesses are found, you will not be reassured and continue to worry obsessively. You might actually have an illness but worry that it is much more serious than it really is. Hypochondriasis is not about the presence or absence of illness, but rather the psychological reaction to it.

The fear of having a disease is severe and persistent, and interferes with your work and relationships. Complaints often tend to focus on pain in the head, neck or trunk. Hypochondriasis is similar to obsessive compulsive disorder, because of the obsession with illness and the compulsion to do something to reduce anxiety.

Hypochondriasis may be caused by:

• Major life stress

• Any symptom believed to be life threatening such as chest pain or memory loss

• History of childhood abuse or neglect

• History of childhood illness

When to seek expert advice

If you or a loved one is constantly worried about having a serious illness, so much that it is debilitating your life and relationships, seek help from an expert at the Department of Psychiatry.