Hypochondria

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Hypochondriasis

It is important to have a supportive relationship with a health care provider. You should have only one primary care provider to avoid having too many tests and procedures.

The health care provider should tell you that you do not have a disease, but that continued medical follow-up will help control the symptoms. People with hypochondria feel real distress, so their symptoms should not be denied or challenged.

Antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can help reduce the worry and physical symptoms of this disorder.

Finding a mental health provider who has experience treating this disorder with talk therapy (psychotherapy) can be helpful. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a kind of talk therapy, can help you deal with your pain. During therapy, you will learn:

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• To recognize what seems to make the symptoms worse
• To develop methods of coping with the symptoms
• To keep yourself more active, even if you still have symptoms

The disorder is usually long-term (chronic), unless psychological factors or mood and anxiety disorders are treated.

• Complications from invasive testing to look for the cause of symptoms
• Dependence on pain relievers or sedatives
• Depression and anxiety or panic disorder
• Lost time from work due to frequent appointments with health care providers

Call your health care provider if you or your child has symptoms of hypochondria.

Review Date: 08/09/2010
Reviewed By: Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Michelle Benger Merrill, MD, Instructor in Clinical Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).