Hypochondria

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Definition Symptoms Causes Risk factors When to seek medical advice

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Definition

People with hypochondria are overwhelmingly convinced that even innocuous physical symptoms are an indication that they have a serious disease or illness. They aren't reassured by doctors or medical tests showing that they're in good health. Instead, they may turn to doctor after doctor and demand test after test in search of a diagnosis.

Although people with hypochondria have often been the butt of jokes and ridicule, this severe form of health anxiety is nothing to laugh about. Hypochondria, also called hypochondriasis, is a serious mental disorder that can sometimes consume the lives of those it affects, even becoming disabling.

Unfortunately, because hypochondria can be so ingrained, many people won't consider the possibility that they have a mental disorder and steadfastly refuse to seek help from mental health professionals. But recent research has shown that treatment with psychotherapy can be effective for hypochondria, allowing people to learn to live well with their discomfort, if not completely recover from their health anxiety.

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Symptoms