Severe hypochondria is a diagnosable mental health condition called illness anxiety disorder and can increase the risk of death.
Symptom Variations
Hypochondria symptoms can be mental, physical, and behavioral.
The primary symptom is intense worry or fear of being or becoming sick, though there are other symptoms.
MoMo Productions / Getty Images
A primary care provider can do aninitial screeningthat may involve filling out a questionnaire and reviewing symptoms.
The fear of having a medical condition or becoming sick can interfere with relationships and daily life.
There are ways to cope, and treatment options are available.
For example, avoidingreading informationabout health concerns may be helpful.
Self-Soothing Techniques
Sometimes, you’re free to manage illness anxiety disorder at home withself-soothingtechniques.
These techniques are helpful alongside professional support, too.
Medication
There are no medications specifically for illness anxiety disorder.
For example, chronic fatigue syndrome is difficult to diagnose and is often dismissed as a mental health concern.
Misdiagnoses are especially common when test results are normal.
Illness anxiety disorder is treatable, and there are ways to cope.
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of hypochondria, help is available.
Reach out to a primary care provider or mental health professional for support.
French JH, Hameed S.Illness anxiety disorder.
[Updated 2023 Jul 16].
In: StatPearls [Internet].
An investigation of differences and similarities in function.Cogn Ther Res.
2023;30(1):42. doi:10.1186/s43045-023-00312-6
Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Health anxiety.
August 10, 2023.
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Hypochondriasis.
National Health Service.Diagnosis - generalized anxiety disorder in adults.
National Health Service.Health anxiety.
November 8, 2023.
2019;40(3):241-258. doi:10.1080/07399332.2018.1521811
