Hypochondriasis

Question: How is hypochondriasis not a form of delusion? As title. Both are fixed false beliefs even after confronted with evidence to disprove this belief. So how is hypochondriasis not a form of delusion?

Answer: Hypochondriasis is when a person with an emotional disorder expresses their anxiety in physical symptoms. If you have bipolar, say, and you get headaches and an upset stomach, you would be expressing your emotional state through physical means. The physical state is real, although its etiology may be unconventional. Hypochondriasis is not to be confused with hypochondria, which is an obsessive need for attention through perceived illnesses. The illness is not really there, or is a grossly exaggerated obsession of a minor physical problem (believing you have encephalitis after a mosquito bite).

Question: How do you know if you have Hypochondriasis? If you think you have the disease that makes you believe you have a lot of other diseases (Hypochondriasis), would you just get over it all? Or would you constantly worry about worrying about other diseases? Does that make sense to anyone else??

Answer: well... i think that if you are aware you are a hypochondriac, then you really aren't... if that makes any sense... because the definition of that condition is in TRULY BELIEVING that you have various other diseases, even when you DON'T. so if someone believed that they had hypochondriasis, then that would entail believing that their delusions of having various other diseases were, in fact, merely delusions. and that would mean that they were no longer a hypochondriac, because they would have gained what's called "insight into illness," thus excluding them from the criteria for hypochondriasis. sorry that was so confusing... it's an almost paradoxical question haha

Question: What is the difference between somatization and hypochondriasis? They seem to have the same characteristics.

Answer: per Medline Somatization disorder is a chronic condition in which there are numerous physical complaints. These complaints can last for years, and result in substantial impairment. The physical symptoms are caused by psychological problems, and no underlying physical problem can be identified. Hypochondria is a belief that real or imagined physical symptoms are signs of a serious illness, despite medical reassurance and other evidence to the contrary. i am not an MD nor Psychologist, so my interpretation is that of a lay person: somatization suffers experience physical symptoms (aches, pains, even fever) that are based in psychological problems, no physical etiology. hypochondriacs may or may not have symptoms but whatever is ailing them, they think it's worse -- like a simple cough meaning lung cancer. they are "glass half empty" folks. as i read it, somatization sufferers have a true psych disorder that manifests in true symptoms and illness that can be debilitating; hypochondriacs are just annoying but have no serious illness. but remember, i'm not a medical person, just someone pretty good at reading medical language.

Question: What is the difference between Munchausen's Syndrome and Hypochondriasis? Ok here's why I asked: I know that I have hypochondria. It runs in my family. However, I also severely crave the attention and sympathy from doctors and friends and loved ones and what-not. So which one would you say I have now...?

Answer: People with Hypochondriasis genuinely think that there is something seriously wrong with them. They may have a headache and think they could have a brain tumor. Or they may see a mole on their skin and think they have skin cancer. People with Munchausen's want attention and sympathy from doctors and loved ones so they make up symptoms and pretend that they are really sick. They research diseases and their symptoms and go to the doctor so they can get treated, and in their favour, be hospitalized.

Question: What are the word elements for hypochondriasis? Dividing word elements. Divide each term into its word elements and give the meaning of each element I cannot figure this out for my med terminology class anyone have a guess? Thanks for the help

Answer: Treece, Not exactly sure what you're asking, but after thinking about it sounds like you want to know the meaning of each word in the term, "hypochondriasis" Hypochondrias: Hypo = Prefix meaning less than, below, or under Chondros = cartilage of the breast bone The term hypochondria comes from the Greek hypo- (below) and chondros (cartilage - of the breast bone), and is thought to have been originally coined by Hippocrates. It was thought by many Greek physicians of antiquity that many ailments were caused by the movement of the spleen, an organ located near the hypochondrium (the upper region of the abdomen just below the ribs on either side of the epigastrium). Later use in the 19th Century employed the term to mean, “illness without a specific cause,� and it is thought that around that time period the term evolved to be the male counterpart to female hysteria. In modern usage, the term hypochondriac is often used as a pejorative label for individuals who hold the belief that they have a serious illness despite repeated reassurance from physicians that they are perfectly healthy. Hypochondria is sometimes also confused with malingering, an intentional falsification of illness. Good question, I learned a lot. :-)

Question: Any people understand about hypochondriasis? I have had OCD/ health anxiety issues since childhood. I have been on medication for years and am gradually weaning off it. I have also had CBT. Recently my health anxiety is getting worse. I am now 30. I stopped smoking a few weeks ago and have had no trouble staying quit. I drank a lot for the past 10 years but have recently cut way back on the alcohol. I am still convinced I am going to have a heart attack or stroke any minute. My heart is fine. I had a panic attack last week and got checked out and my blood pressure is good. My pulse rate is always pretty high from anxiety. I don't even want to exercise because of the fear of dropping dead from the strain. I can't get counselling at the moment for various reasons. Basically, I am not looking for advice, but rather hearing stories from others who have had somatoform disorders.

Answer: this is uncontrooled anxiety, why call it hypochondriasis, i would suggest to seek help from psychiatrists for appropriate medicines first and then counselling, good luck

Question: what is the difference between somatisation disorder and hypochondriasis? this question is for psychology students, psychiatrists,psychologists or anyone specialising in this field.pleeeease help.....

Answer: Somatization disorder is a chronic condition in which there are numerous physical complaints. These complaints can last for years, and result in substantial impairment. The physical symptoms are caused by psychological problems, and no underlying physical problem can be identified. Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top The disorder is marked by multiple physical complaints that persist for years, involving any body system. Most frequently, the complaints involve chronic pain and problems with the digestive system, the nervous system, and the reproductive system. The disorder usually begins before the age of 30 and occurs more often in women than in men. Recent research has shown higher percentages of this disorder in people with irritable bowel syndrome and chronic pain patients. Somatization disorder is highly stigmatized, and patients are often dismissed by their physicians as having problems that are "all in your head." However, as researchers study the connections between the brain, the digestive system, and the immune system, somatization disorders are becoming better understood. They should not be seen as "faked" conditions that the patient could end if he or she chose to do so. The symptoms are generally severe enough to interfere with work and relationships and lead the person to visit the doctor and even take medication. A lifelong history of "sickliness" is often present. However, despite thorough investigation, no specific underlying physical cause is ever identified to account for the symptoms. Stress often worsens the symptoms. Hypochondria (or hypochondriasis, sometimes referred to as health anxiety or health phobia) is a somatoform disorder in which one has the unfounded belief that one is suffering from a serious illness. Hypochondria is often characterized by irrational fears of being diseased/dying, obsessions over minor bodily symptoms or imperfections, doubt and disbelief in doctors' diagnosis, constant self-examination and self-diagnosis and preoccupation with one's body. Hypochondriacs often require constant reassurance, sometimes from multiple doctors, family and friends. Hypochondria is often associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety, and can also be brought on by stress. It is distinct from factitious disorders and malingering, in which an individual intentionally fakes, exaggerates, or induces mental or physical illnesses.

Question: how do you cope with hypochondriasis? I get it really bad sometimes, and I don't know how to make it less stressful. P.S. a person who has it is called a hypochondriac. I'd talk to my doctor, only I would be afraid that would give him a preconceived notion about any future problem, and possibly overlook it the one time it is serious.

Answer: I know how you feel. Sometimes I can't even watch "House" because I start to wonder: "I think I may have that symptom, what if I have that!?" For me, I seem to always research symptoms I may have and find the worst disease or illness it can be a sign of, and suddenly think I have it. I admit, it does sound silly, but it's how it works for me. If you do the same, try not to research symptoms you have. It's basically a cycle. Finding things wrong with you, researching the possibilities, have a fear you may have the illness you've researched, all just adds to more anxiety and stress. The process will just repeat over and over again until you find a way to break it. The easiest way I found was just to stop researching and use common sense. If you have a headache, it's just a headache and not a brain tumor. (Something I always seem to be preoccupied with, along with rabies o_O) You didn't specify specifics about how chronic your condition is, so it's difficult to help. I'm sure there are support groups out there, as well as therapists that specialize in the manner. You could also visit a doctor and have him/her tell you that there is nothing wrong with you. (I have yet to do this because I'm afraid of the outcome) Honestly, I don't believe there is a "cure" for hypochondria, you just have to live with it and learn to suppress it. You'll have to find the method that works best for you. I just listed what works best for me.

Question: What is the difference between Hypochondria vs. personality disorder with hypochondriasis?

Answer: Some people have a mental illness where they take on the diseases of others. This can be either mental or physical ailments so if I am understanding this question correctly??? I'm going to assume that you mean the kinds of people who mock and mimic mental and or physical conditions in others, close to them. Which is not technically classified as hypochondria. As a hypochondriac doesn't copy, but creates the illusion of disease all on their own. The famous Poet Anne Sexton had the first condition. She would take on the states, conditions and symptoms, or the psychosis of those around her in her everyday life. She didn't actually have them, but believed and acted as though she did... so much so that it eventually killed her. I don't know the technical term for it, but in a metaphysical sense it is known as empathetic or an empath.

Question: can hypochondriasis be for mental illnesses too? i know it is a mental illness, i mean can you believe you have a mental illness not just physical?

Answer: It is mental as you already said . & It does if severe enough manifest into physical symptoms. Yes & if you recognize this you should seek treatment.