What is a hypochondriac?

Understanding Hypochondria

Most people can relate to the experience of assuming they have a medical condition, mental health illness, or a disease – regardless of their being medically diagnosed with it.

It may stem from looking up something like stomach pain causes on the internet (then obsessing over what you find!) or hearing about a sickness spreading among a group of friends or family members that you now suspect you have as well. It’s especially common with disorders that people don’t understand well such as diagnosing oneself with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) merely out of liking things clean and tidy, or someone assuming they have ADHD just because they have a hard time focusing under certain circumstances.

What is a hypochondriac?

A hypochondriac is someone who overly worries about having an illness or condition, “despite medical evaluations indicating otherwise,” says Dr. Jason Nagata, an adolescent medicine specialist at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in San Francisco. He explains that the condition was previously known as hypochondriasis, but in 2013 it was split into two recognized conditions: “illness anxiety disorder” and “somatic symptom disorder.” Each diagnosis is determined by unique factors. “Both disorders are characterized by high levels of health anxiety, but an important distinction is that somatic symptom disorder involves significant physical symptoms, while physical symptoms are absent or mild in illness anxiety disorder,” he explains.

What causes hypochondria?

Despite its prevalence, “we don’t know exactly what causes hypochondria,” says Dr. Neha Pathak. However, it can be linked to family history of severe illness, extreme stress, personal health scares, or trauma from abuse. Additionally, excessive internet use related to health searches can contribute to the condition.

How can hypochondriacs get help?

It’s usually treatable if the person is willing to seek help. Starting with a primary care doctor is advisable, as they can rule out any physical illness before referring to a specialist. Popular therapies include talk therapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy, which can help change thinking patterns. Sometimes, medications like antidepressants may also be beneficial. The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms and improve daily life.