hypochondriasis

Hypochondriasis, also known as Illness Anxiety Disorder

Hypochondriasis, now commonly referred to as illness anxiety disorder, is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by an excessive and persistent worry about having a serious medical condition. People with this condition often spend a significant amount of time thinking about their health, even when there are no physical symptoms or evidence of a medical issue.

Key Features

• Persistent preoccupation with the possibility of having one or more serious and progressive physical disorders [5]
• Excessive worry about being ill or developing an illness, despite reassurance from healthcare providers [10]
• Belief that normal body sensations or minor symptoms are signs of severe illness, even when a thorough medical exam doesn't reveal any serious medical condition [10]
• Frequent visits to doctors and excessive use of medical resources, such as online research and self-diagnosis [15]

Comorbidities

People with hypochondriasis often have other mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression [2]. Treatment of these underlying conditions is essential in addressing symptoms of hypochondriasis.

Treatment

While there are no specific medications used to treat hypochondriasis, healthcare providers may recommend limiting reading medical books and websites, and focusing on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to address underlying anxiety and depression [2].

Important Notes

• Hypochondriasis is not the same as having a physical illness or being aware of one's own health status. Rather, it's an excessive worry about being ill, despite reassurance from healthcare providers.
• The term "hypochondriasis" has been revised in the DSM-5 to "illness anxiety disorder," due to its disparaging connotation [11].

References:

[1] Context result 3 [2] Context result 2 [5] Context result 5 [10] Context result 10 [15] Context result 15

Common Signs and Symptoms of Hypochondriasis

Hypochondriasis, also known as illness anxiety disorder, is characterized by excessive worry about having a serious illness despite medical reassurance to the contrary. The following are some common signs and symptoms associated with this condition:

• Excessive worrying: People with hypochondriasis often spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about their health and worrying that they might be sick.
• Preoccupation with a serious illness: A persistent fear or preoccupation with having a serious illness, such as cancer, heart disease, or neurological disorders, can be a hallmark symptom of hypochondriasis.
• Misinterpreting normal body sensations: Individuals with this condition may misinterpret normal bodily sensations, such as a runny nose or a slight ache in the body, as signs of a serious illness.
• Frequent medical consultations: People with hypochondriasis often visit their doctors frequently, seeking reassurance that they do not have a serious illness.
• Checking oneself for symptoms: Regularly checking oneself for any sign of illness, such as looking for lumps or feeling one's pulse, can be a common behavior among individuals with this condition.

Physical Symptoms

In addition to the above psychological symptoms, people with hypochondriasis may also experience physical symptoms, including:

• Aches and pains: Aches in the body, such as headaches or muscle aches, can be a common symptom of hypochondriasis.
• Somatic sensations: Some individuals may experience somatic sensations, such as feeling vibrations, shaking, or buzzing in their bodies.

Important Considerations

It's essential to note that anxiety itself can cause physical symptoms, such as headaches or a racing heartbeat, which can be mistaken for signs of illness. Therefore, it's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying medical conditions and receive proper diagnosis and treatment.

References:

• [4] Somatic symptom disorder – formerly called hypochondria – has physical symptoms that feel very real, but it's a mental health condition.
• [6] Signs and symptoms include: Preoccupation with a serious illness for at least 6 months; Inability to control fears and worries; Misinterpreting normal body ...
• [7] It may include a feeling of vibration, shaking, or buzzing. Aches in the body: This is a common symptom of hypochondriacs. They seem to perpetually be suffering ...
• [8] Anxiety itself can cause symptoms like headaches or a racing heartbeat, and you may mistake these for signs of illness.

Hypochondriasis, also known as illness anxiety disorder, can be diagnosed through various tests and evaluations.

• A physical exam and recommended tests by a primary care provider are typically the first steps in determining a diagnosis [2].
• The Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI) is a reliable tool that distinguishes patients with hypochondriasis from others. It comes in two versions: long and short, taking around 5 minutes to complete [3].
• To rule out anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder, healthcare professionals may ask specific questions and use psychological tests [8].

It's worth noting that hypochondriasis was removed as a diagnosis from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) in 2013, and is now referred to as illness anxiety disorder [7].

Medications Used to Treat Hypochondriasis

Hypochondriasis, also known as illness anxiety disorder, is a condition where individuals excessively worry about having a serious illness despite medical reassurance. While there are no medications specifically approved for the treatment of hypochondriasis, various medications have been used to treat comorbid depression or anxiety disorders.

• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): SSRIs, such as sertraline, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, and paroxetine, are commonly prescribed for treating depression and anxiety. Research suggests that these medications can be moderately effective in treating hypochondriasis [3][6].
• Pimozide: In the past two decades, Pimozide has been emerging as a potential treatment option for hypochondriasis. Although its efficacy is largely based on case reports, it has significant adverse effects [5].
• Antidepressants and Antianxiety Medications: Other antidepressants like Prozac and Luvox have shown promise in treating hypochondriasis, along with antianxiety medications [6][7].

Important Considerations

It's essential to note that medication treatment for hypochondriasis is often focused on addressing comorbid conditions rather than the condition itself. Additionally, doctors may recommend limiting exposure to medical information through books and websites as part of the treatment plan [9].

Hypochondriasis, also known as illness anxiety disorder, has several differential diagnoses that can be considered when evaluating patients with symptoms of excessive worry about having a serious disease.

Some of the conditions that can be confused with hypochondriasis include:

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): While OCD is characterized by intrusive thoughts and compulsions to perform specific rituals, it can sometimes manifest as excessive worry about health. However, in OCD, the focus is typically on a specific symptom or ritual rather than a general fear of illness [3].
• Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD): SSD involves one or more chronic physical symptoms that are distressing and result in significant disruption to daily life. While hypochondriasis also involves excessive worry about health, the key difference is that SSD focuses on specific physical symptoms rather than a general fear of illness [4].
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): GAD is characterized by excessive worry about various aspects of life, including health. However, in GAD, the worry is typically more diffuse and not specifically focused on health concerns [3].
• Body Dysmorphic Disorder: This condition involves a preoccupation with a perceived flaw in appearance, which can sometimes manifest as excessive worry about health due to concerns about physical symptoms or appearance [4].

It's essential to note that these differential diagnoses are not mutually exclusive, and patients may exhibit symptoms from multiple conditions simultaneously.

References:

[3] - 4. by W Hiller · 2005 · Cited by 91 — Despite these similarities, hypochondriacal and panic disorder can be well distinguished through use of structured interviews or diagnostic checklists (Barsky, ...

[4] - 3. Differential Diagnosis[edit | edit source] · Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) · Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) · Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) · Body ...