Hypochondria is a mental disorder, which belongs to the category of bodomorphic disorders. A key element of this disorder is the intense engagement of the individual with the occurrence of physical symptoms that give the individual the impression that he is suffering from pathological damage. These symptoms, however, are not associated with any organic damage, nor are they due to the use of a substance (drugs, drugs, alcohol) or to any other mental disorder. In hypochondria, the individual is heavily concerned with the idea or fear of having a serious illness, since he misinterprets the physical symptoms he feels are pathological. He is constantly dealing with his physical and sensory functions, which he considers to be the result of a pathological condition, even after repeated examinations that show that he is physically healthy.

People with hypochondria have formed dysfunctional and unrealistic thoughts about health, based on past experiences such as the illness of themselves or members of their family. At a crucial event in their lives, existing dysfunctional perceptions are triggered and lead to a biased way of thinking that selectively focuses on information that they believe to verify their beliefs, suffer from illness while ignoring or minimizing the significance of being healthy. The wrong interpretation of body symptoms leads to automatic negative thoughts about health, which are associated with anxiety. Increased physiological reaction inevitably results in changes in autonomic nervous system functions that the individual interprets as additional evidence that he has some pain. All this leads to anxiety, depression and even anger.

The treatment of hypochondria is both pharmaceutical and psychological and is applied at the Veresies Clinic.