What is a hypochondriac?

In common parlance, a hypochondriac is a person who has an exaggerated fear of serious illnesses and illness. According to the definition, people with hypochondria constantly monitor their state of health, are very worried about their health, are obsessively afraid of illnesses or imagine that they are already seriously ill, for example with cancer. Experts also refer to hypochondria as a hypochondriac disorder.

However, doctors cannot prove physical illness or diagnose physical illness in a hypochondriac. Even if the fears are objectively unfounded - a hypochondriac suffers psychologically enormously from his fear of illness and the quality of life is often limited. Hypochondria is a mental illness that you need help with.

The meaning of the term hypochondria is often negatively assigned in society: A hypochondriac is considered to be “over-the-top”, a wailing and conceited patient. This is problematic given that hypochondria is a mental disorder.

Hypochondria is a somatoform disorder

Because of its symptoms, hypochondria often resembles an anxiety, panic, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. In fact, doctors classify hypochondria in the group of " somatoform disorders" . Affected people constantly monitor their state of health, have increased vigilance towards their body and perceive symptoms such as an accelerated heartbeat as extremely threatening. They conjure up catastrophes and fear that they will soon have a heart attack .

People who have a hypochondriac disorder often have an altered, aggravated body perception: They actually experience physical symptoms, so they are not simulators. Therefore, they can be medically examined again and again. They do this even when the tests do not reveal any disease and the doctors assure them that they cannot find an organic cause for the symptoms.

Forms of hypochondria: From health awareness to pathological delusions

Hypochondria can take several forms:

• Nosophobia : Those affected are generally afraid of getting sick. They are particularly health-conscious and avoid doctors' offices and sick people for fear of contagious diseases.
• Dysmorphophobia : Patients believe they are malformed, disfigured, or ugly.
• Bromosis : Affected people are convinced that they smell unpleasant.
• Parasitosis : Hypochondriacs with this shape have the idea of ​​being infected by parasites - such as worms or spiders.

The extent of hypochondria can also vary greatly. It ranges from a pronounced health awareness and a very healthy lifestyle to the firm conviction that you are seriously ill (“hypochondriac madness”). However, the likelihood of developing pronounced hypochondria is low . Experts assume around one percent of the general population. Mostly people between the ages of 30 and 50 are affected.

However, the transition between very health-conscious people and hypochondriacs is fluid. Doctors can not always clearly define who is only concerned about their health and who is actually suffering from hypochondria. The decisive criterion here is the patient's level of suffering.

Hypochondria: symptoms are not imaginary

People with hypochondria usually have the following symptoms :

• They are afraid of illnesses or can imagine serious illnesses.
• They are fixated on their bodies and interpret small things as a serious illness. For example, a slight headache is an indication of a brain tumor . They interpret digestive problems after a hearty meal as colon cancer . So you make your own diagnoses.
• Because of the constant fear of being sick , hypochondriac patients constantly control and observe themselves , for example by checking their pulse and blood pressure or by measuring their body temperature.
• Those affected are convinced that they are sick , although the doctor cannot find a cause.
• They often visit doctors to clarify their symptoms. If your doctors tells you he can't find an organic cause, don't accept it. They think this is wrong, do not trust the medical results and continue to believe that they are ill. They are consulting more and more doctors - experts speak of "doctor hopping" or "doctor shopping". At the same time, they feel ashamed of the many visits to the doctor or are very afraid that a doctor will confirm their self-diagnosis.

• Hypochondriac patients often have problems in social and professional life.

Hypochondria can coexist with other mental illnesses . Experts believe that around 40 percent of those affected have depression . Some also have obsessive-compulsive disorder . The mental illness can trigger the hypochondria, but it can also be a consequence of the hypochondriac disorder.

Hypochondria: The causes are often found in childhood

The causes of hypochondria are not exactly known. However, hypochondriacs are often cautious and anxious people. There are a number of risk factors that can make the hypochondriac disorder more likely to develop. These include, for example:

• Childhood experiences: Medical professionals often attribute hypochondriac disorders to childhood. Those affected usually had bad experiences with illnesses at a young age . For example, you were seriously ill yourself as a child or had to witness a family member battling an illness.
• The style of upbringing can also contribute to the development of hypochondria - for example, when the parents dramatize the child's mild symptoms. The children learn that illnesses are always serious and life-threatening. 
• Extreme stress and psychological stress can promote the development of hypochondria.

Cyberchondria: Sick through the Internet

Hypochondriacs often do their own research for possible diagnoses for their symptoms. The search on the Internet can in turn reinforce and initiate new symptoms the complaints. In this case, medical professionals speak of cyberchondria . In addition to reliable information, laypeople can also find speculative details about diseases on the Internet - for example in blogs or forums. The wrong information can unsettle those affected and trigger additional fears. As a result, hypochondriacs pay more attention to their body signals and perceive more complaints.

 

Hypochondria: Treatment with psychotherapy

Doctors usually treat hypochondriac patients with psychotherapy . So-called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is particularly suitable. In doing so, those affected learn that symptoms such as a slight headache are normal and do not mean serious illnesses. In this way they can break free from their thought patterns and defeat the hypochondria.

The biofeedback method can also help hypochondriacs. Doctors make the heartbeat visible on a screen, for example. The patient can see that thoughts of a feared heart disease increase the pulse rate. He learns that the symptoms only arise from his fears and feelings and that they are harmless.

Hypochondria treatment: family support and self-help

How long hypochondriac therapy lasts depends on how long the patient has had the hypochondriac disorder. It is also important whether there are other illnesses, for example depression or personality disorders. For patients with depression, for example, it makes sense to take additional medication (antidepressants).

Whether the therapy for hypochondria is successful also depends on how strong the patient's social network is. Relatives should be involved in the treatment and support the person affected as much as possible. Group therapy with other people affected is also an option.

In addition, helping people to help themselves with hypochondria is particularly important. Those affected learn, for example, autogenic training, progressive muscle relaxation according to Jacobson or yoga. The exercises help to reduce stress and support the therapy.