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Hypochondriasis
Individuals who suffer from hypochondriasis unrealistically interpret bodily symptoms as signs of a serious illness. Often their symptoms are normal bodily changes, such as occasional coughing, sores or sweating. Although some patients recognize that their concerns are excessive, many do not. Hypochondriasis typically involves numerous physical symptoms and frequent visits to doctors.
The individual is preoccupied with the fear of having a serious disease. Even after repeated examinations that show nothing medically wrong, the individual clings to the irrational belief that they are suffering from a severe illness.
Hypochondriasis can begin at any age, but develops most often in early adulthood. Between 1 and 5 percent of the population suffer from this disorder, and it affects men and women equally.
A. Preoccupation with fears of having, or the idea that one has, a serious disease based on the person's misinterpretation of bodily symptoms.
B. The preoccupation persists despite appropriate medical evaluation and reassurance.
C. The belief in Criterion A is not of delusional intensity (as in Delusional Disorder, Somatic Type) and is not restricted to a circumscribed concern about appearance (as in Body Dysmorphic Disorder).
D. The preoccupation causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
E. The duration of the disturbance is at least 6 months.
F. The preoccupation is not better accounted for by Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, a Major Depressive Episode, Separation Anxiety, or another Somatoform Disorder.
Specify if:
- With Poor Insight: if, for most of the time during the current episode, the person does not recognize that the concern about having a serious illness is excessive or unreasonable
If you would like to share your personal story of living with hypochondriasis, please email me and I will include it here on this page.
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This Site Updated 04/09/11
