Hypochondria, referred to in modern psychiatric terminology as Illness Anxiety Disorder, is a mental health condition that falls within the spectrum of somatic symptom–related disorders. It is characterized by persistent and excessive concern about physical health, along with an intense fear that the individual is suffering from a serious organic disease.
While occasional concern about one’s health is normal, in hypochondria the fear is disproportionate, persistent, and significantly interferes with daily functioning and quality of life.
What Is Hypochondria?
A core feature of hypochondria is the misinterpretation of normal or mild bodily sensations as signs of a serious medical condition. The symptoms experienced by the individual:
- are not caused by a confirmed organic disease,
- are not related to substance use (alcohol, medications, or drugs),
- are not better explained by another mental disorder.
Despite repeated medical examinations confirming good physical health, the anxiety persists or may even intensify.
Symptoms of Hypochondria
Individuals with hypochondria tend to:
- focus excessively on bodily sensations (pain, palpitations, dizziness, fatigue),
- interpret these sensations as indicators of serious illness,
- frequently seek medical tests or reassurance,
- have difficulty being reassured by negative medical findings.
These fears are experienced as entirely logical and realistic by the individual, who often struggles to understand why others question or minimize their concerns.
Emotional and Psychological Impact
Hypochondria is often accompanied by:
- intense anxiety,
- depressive mood,
- feelings of insecurity, anger, or frustration.
The constant preoccupation with health creates a vicious cycle of worry, physical tension, and further reinforcement of illness-related fears.
Impact on Functionality and Daily Life
The disorder can significantly affect:
- personal and family life,
- social relationships,
- occupational functioning.
Frequent absences from work due to perceived illnesses or repeated medical evaluations are common and further burden the individual’s psychological well-being.
Cognitive Factors and Underlying Causes
People with hypochondria often develop dysfunctional and unrealistic beliefs about health, which may be based on:
- personal experiences with illness,
- serious illness in a family member,
- traumatic or highly stressful life events.
During periods of increased stress, these beliefs become activated and lead to a biased thinking pattern in which:
- attention is selectively focused on information that confirms illness,
- evidence of good health is ignored or minimized.
The Role of Anxiety and the Autonomic Nervous System
The misinterpretation of bodily sensations triggers automatic negative thoughts, accompanied by anxiety. Anxiety activates the autonomic nervous system, leading to physiological responses such as tachycardia, sweating, and shortness of breath.
These bodily reactions are then interpreted as further “proof” of illness, reinforcing a vicious cycle of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and emotional distress.
Treatment of Hypochondria
The treatment of hypochondria is multimodal and includes:
- psychotherapeutic intervention, aimed at identifying and restructuring dysfunctional thoughts and beliefs,
- pharmacological treatment, when indicated, primarily to manage anxiety or depressive symptoms,
- education and training in anxiety management and the interpretation of bodily sensations.
Early and well-structured intervention can significantly improve quality of life and overall functioning.