Hypochondriasis
Wishing you a speedy recovery from your imaginary illness
Definition
Hypochondriasis is a mental disorder in which the thought of having a serious physical disease based on on the incorrect or exaggerated interpretation of a physical symptoms. This preoccupation continues for at least six months and interferes with independents and social/occupational functioning even in the face of medical evidence to the contradictory.
Background
Hypochondria is considered a somatic disorder. which means that it is mental illnesses that cause bodily symptoms, including pain. The fear is usually that of a single illness. but there are cases of being scared of multiple illness. Many experience a cycle of intrusive thoughts followed by compulsive checking.
CAUSES:
Amplification of sensory experience (your more sensitive when it comes to your senses and you become more aware of illness), Distorted interpretation of symptoms (having a different way of feeling about the illness you think you have).
SYMPTOMS:
Preoccupation with fears of serious physical illness or injury (you don't have time to think of anything else but your imaginary illness), Obsessive quality (you start to begin to obsess over things they presently hadn't), Difficult to dismiss (It becomes to difficult to come to terms with not having an illness), Seeking consultation (you try to seek help but this usually ends in you leaving more stressed then when you entered).
Demographic
Affects 1-5% of general population of the United States. between 2% and 7% of clinical out patients are affected. But hypochondria can happen at any age although it frequently appears at early adult hood and men and women get the disorder equally.
Treatment
- cognitive behavioral therapy.
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibators.
Agencies
Cleveland Clinic
- 2049 East 100th Street, Cleveland, OH
- 216 445 8904
- http://my.clevelandclinic.org/
OCD Center of Los Angeles
- 11620 Wilshire Bl. #890, Los Angeles, CA 90025
- 310 824-5200
- http://ocdla.com/
University of Maryland Medical Center
- University of Maryland Medical Center 22. S. Greene St. Baltimore, MD 21201-1595
- 800-492-5538
- https://umm.edu/patients/gettinghere/directions
What is Hypochondria? (Mental Health Guru)