Hypochondria is similar to chronic anxiety, to a state of worry about one’s own state of health.

Hypochondria, what is it?

What is hypochondriac?

Hypochondria is a state of anxiety, of excessive worry about one’s own state of health to the point of causing chronic anxiety and disrupting daily life.

Some hypochondriacs show symptoms (chest pain, severe headache, etc.) causing anxiety about the deterioration of this state of health. Other cases have no symptoms, or underlying explanation. A situation of excessive anxiety in the face of a good general state of health is indicative of a pathology that should not be neglected: hypochondria.

Other cases of hypochondria may also relate to concerns about future health: risk of developing cancer, heart disease, to die, etc.

People with hypochondriacs can then fall into extreme situations:

• le need to constantly search for health information or this need for insurance;
• l’eviction of everything that speaks, touches or testifies to health (exclusion from health-related TV programs, refusal to consult a doctor, etc.).

Neither of these two strategies can cope with the disease. Each of them is the consequence of a vicious circle that can be even more aggravating for health …

Causes of hypochondria

The causes of the disease are diverse. Indeed, many factors can be at the origin of concerns about his state of health.

Hypochondria can develop over a very specific period of his life, following an illness or death in the family, or the development of hypochondria in his entourage.

Personality is a major factor in the development of such a pathology. For example, a person of a stressed and worried nature, will be more subject to the development of hypochondriac behavior. Individuals who have difficulty managing their emotions and dramatizing the situation will also be more concerned.

In some cases, hypochondria may be due to depression or generalized anxiety state, behavioral or mood disorders. In this context, the source of the disease must be identified and treated as quickly as possible.

Who is affected by hypochondria

Anyone can feel concerned about hypochondria. However, people who are more susceptible to depression, anxiety and stress have an increased risk of developing hypochondria.

Evolution of hypochondria

The management of hypochondria must be done as soon as possible in order to find the origin of the disease but also to limit the side effects and possible consequences.

Indeed, an excessive anxiety state can impact the daily life of the patient, but also his family life as well as his social life. Self-isolation is very similar to hypochondriac risk.

Symptoms and treatments for hypochondria.

Symptoms of hypochondria

Symptoms ofhypocondrie can be acute: in the form of hypochondriac crises, or even chronic, long-term anxiety.

The associated physiological signs can then be pain in different parts of the body, cramps, palpitations, sensations of increased heart rate, the appearance of skin imperfections (buttons), menstrual delays, etc. These symptoms are felt to be worrisome for the patient with hypochondria, in the sense that they are bound to be underlying complications.

The apprehension of becoming ill can also be the source of other symptoms: dizziness, headache, feelings of suffocation, etc. These consequences can then go as far as an anxiety attack or even a panic attack.

Risk factors for hypochondria

The risk factors for such a pathology relate to a generalized state of anxiety, to a stressed nature and to this making it easier to “dramatize everything”.

Depression can also be an additional risk factor for the development of hypochondria.

However, in many cases the exact causes are unknown and hypochondria appears suddenly for no particular reason.

Age can also be one of the parameters favoring the hypochondriac state. Indeed, as we age, the apprehension of age-related pathologies as well as death is more felt.

Treat hypochondria

Following the diagnosis of hypochondria by the general practitioner, the origin of which is trivial and not linked to an underlying pathology and / or conditions, other examinations will then be prescribed. These allow the search for symptoms and / or problems at the origin of such a development: depression, anxiety, etc.

In the context of a diagnosis of a psychological impairment, such as a depressive or anxious state, a consultation with a psychologist or a psychiatrist can then be beneficial.

Drug treatments can also be the subject of alleviation of hypochondriac symptoms: antidepressants for example.

The search for the original source of the hypochondriac state is essential in the alleviation of symptoms. Questioning the patient, by the general practitioner and / or by a specialist in psychology or psychiatry can be of help in this research.