Some people who seek the advice of a doctor may have a diagnosis of hypochondria. What it is? Is such a disorder a separate disease or evidence of other, more dangerous disorders? What are the symptoms associated with this condition?
Hypochondria - what is it?
It is immediately worth noting that modern doctors rarely distinguish such a disorder as a separate disease. Nevertheless, patients with a diagnosis of hypochondria began to appear more often in hospitals and clinics. What it is?
Hypochondriacal people are sure that they have some serious, even incurable disease. They not only believe in their disease, but also experience all its symptoms. A similar condition is often diagnosed in elderly patients and adolescents. A separate risk group may include people who are somehow related to medicine. For example, many medical students experience the symptoms of each disease studied.
It is believed that emotional people are more prone to such a disorder. Risk factors include the patient’s presence of neuroses and psychoses of various origins, as well as obsessive delusions. Hypochondria sometimes develops in people who have had a serious illness in childhood and who have experienced physical, psychological, or sexual abuse.
Hypochondria: symptoms of the disorder
In fact, hypochondria differs from ordinary anxiety and self-care. Patients simply cannot control the appearance of obsessive thoughts. There are various forms of this condition.
Obsessive hypochondria is accompanied by anxiety and suspiciousness. Such people carefully listen to the work of their body and panic when the slightest discomfort appears.
Overvalued form is accompanied by approximately the same symptoms. But reactions to deterioration are more emotional. Even a common cold by such people can be regarded as an extremely serious illness. Patients do not believe the conclusion of doctors and often quarrel with specialists, believing that the assistance provided to them is insufficient.
There is delusional hypochondria. What it is? This is the most severe form of the disorder, in which a person is absolutely sure that he has an incurable disease. However, neither the results of the tests, nor even the conclusions of several doctors can convince him. This condition is often accompanied by depression and attempted suicide.
Treatment and diagnosis of hypochondria
Naturally, to begin with, the doctor will prescribe a full examination, including all necessary tests, ultrasound, and examinations of other specialists. If the research results indicate good health, no physical causes of discomfort were found, but the patient is still convinced of the presence of a dangerous disease, he is poisoned for consultation with a psychotherapist.
How to get rid of hypochondria? Treatment, of course, depends on the form and severity of the condition. For a complete cure, constant classes by a psychotherapist are required, as well as support from relatives. In some cases, antidepressants and antipsychotics are used.