What is hypochondriasis?
Hypochondriasis is simply an excessive concern about one’s health. Distinguishing between someone who has a normal concern for a medical issue or their health and someone who actually has this disorder has been debated for quite some time. “I think there is a difference in terms of the anxiety that's associated with the individual's health problems, or perceived health problems,” says Stuart.
For example, if someone has had a relative who had cancer, they may be a little bit more vigilant about making sure that they don't face the same diagnosis. But people with hypochondriasis worry so much about their health that their functioning is impaired. Their health worries prevent them from engaging in pleasurable activities and functioning as well as they might at work. Their health anxiety might affect their sleep and relationships with friends and family members.
Do people with this condition tend to focus on particular problems?
Most people complain pretty consistently, over a long period of time, about the same kinds of things. A classic hypochondriacal patient would have multiple complaints in different areas, so they might complain of persistent diarrhea, stomach problems, joint pain and aches all over their body. They might also have persistent headaches, and neurological symptoms such as numbness and tingling
As a result, people go to a number of different doctors seeking a diagnosis, and wanting treatment as well.
How is hypochondriasis diagnosed?
The understanding of hypochondriasis has really changed over the last 20 to 30 years. Psychiatrists used to diagnose it primarily based on the number of physical complaints that people had. So it was required that people have a certain number of neurological complaints, or gastrointestinal complaints.
