How to Treat Hypochondria
Hypochondria also known as hypochondriasis, is a type of anxiety disorder in which individuals are convinced that they are suffering from a serious or life-threatening illness. However, upon medical examination, their symptoms are often minimal or entirely absent. Then, how to treat hypochondria? Check out the explanation here.
Hypochondria, is a mental health issue characterized by an excessive psychological response to the perception of illness. This condition may manifest intermittently or persistently, depending on its severity. It can affect individuals at any age, although initial symptoms typically emerge between the ages of 25 and 35.
Symptoms of Hypochondria
The following are several symptoms that may manifest in an individual suffering from hypochondria:
- Exhibiting a high level of anxiety regarding personal health.
- Having a fear of a specific serious illness for at least 6 months.
- Worrying about mild symptoms as being serious.
- Frequently conducting self-examinations to identify any signs of illness.
- Regularly scheduling appointments with multiple physicians to confirm the presence of a disease.
- Avoiding numerous individuals, locations, or activities due to a fear of contracting an illness.
Causes of Hypochondria
The exact causes of hypochondria remain unclear. However, there are several factors that are considered to cause someone to experience hypochondria, namely:
Lack of understanding
Experiencing discomfort in the body can lead to considerable introspection. A limited understanding of how diseases develop or how the body functions normally may cause an individual to investigate the most alarming possibilities. If the information they discover aligns even slightly with their own condition, they are prone to concluding the worst possible scenario.
Traumatic experience
Experiencing traumatic events, such as a severe illness in childhood, can instill a lasting fear of physical sensations or various health complaints in adulthood.
Family environment
A person is more likely to have hypochondria if his or her parents are very concerned about health.
In addition to the aforementioned factors, risk factors that can also trigger someone to experience hypochondria include stress, a history of abuse, and a personality predisposed to anxiety.
How to Treat Hypochondria
The objective of treating hypochondria is for sufferers to be able to carry out their normal activities, free themselves from the mental burden associated with illness, and cease seeking validation of their perceived ailments from doctors or health professionals.
This treatment typically emphasizes psychotherapeutic methods and may occasionally include prescription medications. The most commonly employed type of psychotherapy for addressing hypochondria is cognitive behavioral therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people with hypochondria to:
- Identifying the sources of fear and anxiety experienced.
- Changing the way they respond to the sensations or symptoms they feel.
- Reducing avoidance behaviors related to activities or social situations due to perceived symptoms.
- Reducing repetitive body checking behaviors.
- Addressing other mental health issues that may coexist with hypochondria, such as anxiety and depression.
Excessive behavior is indeed detrimental, even when the intention is positive, such as in the pursuit of health. Hypochondria can significantly diminish an individual's quality of life, particularly when its severity escalates to a point where the person can think of nothing other than the illnesses they believe they have.
If you find that your thoughts are persistently overshadowed by a serious illness that instills fear, it may indicate the early signs of hypochondria. When these feelings begin to interfere with your daily life or work, do not hesitate to consult a psychiatrist for a thorough evaluation and appropriate care.
That is the explanation about how to treat hypochondria. Hopefully the information above can be useful.
