Hypochondria (also called hypochondriasis) is a mental illness in which individuals suffer from symptoms of a medical illness that cannot be explained as an actual physical disorder. People who suffer from hypochondria have anxiety about getting a disease or are convinced that they have a disease even though medical tests prove that they are perfectly healthy.

Hypochondriacs often convince themselves that their normal or minor body functions are symptoms of a disease. Symptoms that are most commonly confused with disease include tiredness, breathing noises, stomach problems, and regular body functions. Even though these symptoms may be normal body functions, hypochondriacs believe that they are truly sick.

Some signs of hypochondria include:

• doctor shopping until a doctor is found who will agree that the person is sick,
• recently suffered serious illness,
• concern about a body system,
• finding fault with the doctor if the doctor does not agree with the symptoms and does not diagnose a disease,
• concern that an illness will interfere with family, work, and social life,
• and anxiety and/or depression.
• Hypochondria can affect men and women, and it most commonly begins in early childhood. Hypochondria is a serious illness and should be diagnosed by a doctor. After an individual is diagnosed as a hypochondriac, a treatment plan can be customized. Some of the most popular forms of treatment include supportive care, medications, and psychotherapy.

Solace Counseling can work with an individual suffering from hypochondria to create the best treatment plan. If you or a loved one is suffering from hypochondria, please contact Solace Counseling to get started on the road to recovery today!