Hypochondria
Being concerned about your physical condition can be very common. Only when you start to see all kinds of usual physical complaints as a sign of a serious illness, such as a sting, an itch or cramps, it can become very problematic. The thought of having a serious illness can limit everyday life and be overwhelming. A psychologist can often help you further.
Do I have Hypochondria?
If you have hypochondria, you constantly think you have a serious illness, when there is no medical evidence to indicate it. You see all kinds of ordinary physical phenomena as a sign of a serious illness (e.g. headache, fear of brain tumor). People with hypochondria often pay extra attention to their physical sensations, so that they logically perceive everything. It is often difficult to reassure someone with hypochondria. Even if a doctor takes a good look at someone with hypochondria and finds nothing, the fear of illness remains or reoccurs for a short while. Hypochondria is an anxiety disorder. You can experience the following symptoms and (anxiety-related) complaints:
- Excessive attention to physical sensations / complaints
- Frequent doctor visits
- Avoiding or compulsively consulting information about diseases
- Palpitations
- Tightness, a tight feeling in the chest
- Tingling or numbness
- Dry mouth, nausea, upset stomach, vomiting or diarrhea
- Headache, flushing, fainting
- The feeling of not knowing who or where you are anymore
- The feeling of losing control, going crazy, or dying
How do I get rid of hypochondria?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be used as a treatment, possibly in combination with medication. During treatment you learn to experience the physical symptoms without performing excessive checks (such as looking up information) or asking for reassurance. During therapy you can also learn relaxation and breathing techniques, learn to put the illness thoughts into perspective or, for example, learn more about the condition. Hypochondria can be stubborn, which can make it difficult to “get rid of” your hypochondria completely. Sometimes it is a better starting point to learn to deal with the hypochondria and to learn more easily to resist the “mechanism” of it, so that you experience much less trouble.