Hypochondriasis

“I feel so all alone. No one’s gonna fix me when I’m broke.” 

- Fun

I've decided to dedicate this blog to the people who suffer from Hypochondriasis and Munchausen Syndrome. I, for one, cannot even begin to imagine what it must be like to suffer from these painful mental illnesses. However, I give you my word, that for the next ten days, I will try my best to walk a mile or ten in your shoes, as uncomfortable, tight fitting and blistered as they may be.

Hypochondriasis, also known as Hypochondriacs is a mental illness. The sufferer has indications and symptoms of a medical illness, but they can’t be entirely explained by an authentic physical disorder. Research shows hypochondriasis may also be classified as an anxiety disorder. It is a form of unusual anxiety about health that may range from mild to severe and disabling. Hypochondriasis has a very negative connotation and it is often considered to be resistant to treatment.

People who suffer from hypochondriasis are almost always anxious and worried about getting ill or are convinced that they are ill, even after medical tests show they are not. Hypochondriacs also often mistake minor health problems or even entirely normal body functions as symptoms of a serious disease. These symptoms can cause great distress.

Hypochondriasis can happen at any stage of the patient’s life, but most often begins in early adulthood. It appears to affect men and women equally. The exact cause of hypochondriasis is unknown. There are, however many theories on what might cause this disease. They include, but are not limited to a poor ability to express emotions, a history of physical or sexual abuse or a parent or close relative with the disorder. Children may pick up on this behavior if a parent is overly concerned about disease or overdramatises minor illnesses.

Diagnosing hypochondriasis can be very difficult because people with the disorder are convinced their symptoms are caused by an actual medical illness.

Treatment for hypochondriacs tries to allow patients live and function as normally as possible, even if they continue to have symptoms. Treatment also aims to alter the thinking and behavior that leads to the symptoms. Just like other somatoform disorders, hypochondriasis can be problematic to treat. This is due, to the fact that people with this disorder refuse to believe their symptoms are the result of mental or emotional causes as opposed to physical causes.Treatment for hypochondriasis most often includes supportive care, antidepressant or anti-anxiety and psychotherapy.

There is no known way to prevent hypochondriasis. However, providing the person with an understanding and supporting environment might help decrease the severity of the symptoms (Cleveland Clinic, 2014).

References

Cleveland Clinic, (2014). Hypochondriasis: Center for Behavioral Health. [online] Available at: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/neurological_institute/center-for-behavorial-health/disease-conditions/hic-hypochondriasis.aspx [Accessed 19 May. 2014].