Hypochondria, popularly known as "disease mania", is a psychological disorder where there is an intense and obsessive health concern.
Thus, people with this disorder usually have excessive health concerns, need to go to the doctor often, difficulty accepting the doctor's opinion and may also become obsessed with apparently harmless symptoms.
This disorder can have several causes, as it can appear after a period of great stress or after the death of a family member, and its treatment can be done in psychotherapy sessions with a psychologist or psychiatrist.
Main signs and symptoms
Some of the main symptoms characteristic of Hypochondria can include:
- Excessive concern for your health; Need to see a doctor often; Desire to perform many unnecessary medical examinations; Difficulty accepting the opinion of doctors, especially if the diagnosis indicates that there is no problem or disease; Extensive knowledge of the names of certain drugs and their applications; Obsession with simple and apparently harmless symptoms.
For a hypochondriac, a sneeze is not just a sneeze, but a symptom of allergy, flu, cold or even Ebola. Know all the symptoms that this disease can cause in Symptoms of hypochondria.
In addition, the Hypochondriac may also have an obsession with dirt and germs, so a trip to a public toilet or grabbing the bus's iron bar can be a nightmare.
How the diagnosis is made
The diagnosis of Hypochondria can be made by a psychiatrist or psychologist by observing the patient's behavior and concerns.
In addition, to confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may also ask to speak to a doctor who regularly visits or a close family member, in order to identify and confirm the symptoms of the disease.
Possible causes
Hypochondria can have several causes, as it can arise either after a period of great stress, or after the illness or death of a family member.
In addition, this disease is also directly related to the personality of each person, being more common in people who are anxious, depressed, nervous, very worried or who have difficulty dealing with their emotions or problems.
How the treatment is done
Hypochondria treatment is usually done with a psychiatrist or psychologist in psychotherapy sessions and this depends on the cause of the problem, since it can be associated with other problems such as excessive stress, depression or anxiety.
In the most severe cases, it may even be necessary to take antidepressant, anxiolytic and calming medications under medical advice, especially if there is anxiety and depression.
