Hypochondriasis refers to a condition where patients excessively focus on their own health, suspecting abnormalities in certain parts of the body or specific organs. Despite clinical examinations showing no objective evidence, they persistently believe they are suffering from some disease and experience symptoms of anxiety. Patients often display sensitivity, suspicion, subjective stubbornness, excessive caution, over-concern for their bodies, and a pursuit of perfection.
Experts warn: Hypochondriasis should not be ignored as it severely affects both the physical and mental health of the patient. Therefore, timely treatment at a reputable hospital is necessary to avoid irreversible consequences. The Shenyang Tianqiao Mental Health Research and Treatment Center offers specialized online consulting services where authoritative experts answer questions related to various diseases online, provide professional personalized guidance based on the condition, offer treatment plans, and ensure confidentiality regarding your medical condition.
Individuals with hypochondriasis typically exhibit prominent behaviors in the following areas:
(1) Adherence to health preservation principles. They maintain a disciplined diet, regular living habits, restrain sexual desires, value nutrition, admire various folk fitness methods and secrets, love taking tonics, and easily trust secret remedies.
(2) Excessive attention to sensations from internal organs and limbs. Patients often experience abnormal sensory experiences and are very concerned about their complexion, tongue coating, pulse, weight, bowel movements, etc. They are highly sensitive to changes in lifestyle and weather, and easily suffer from water and soil intolerance.
(3) A strong interest in medical knowledge, making them susceptible to influence by doctors and medical books. Hearing or seeing others fall ill easily makes them feel they have similar symptoms. When sick, they overly worry and fear, mistaking conditions like heat rash for syphilis sores during menopause. Their symptoms are often more severe and persistent than those of others with the same illness. They believe that medications either have significant side effects or easily lead to drug resistance, concluding that treatment is difficult and ineffective.
(4) Belief in being inherently deficient and maladjusted postnatally, having been weak and frequently ill since childhood, yet unable to benefit from supplements. This belief is deeply ingrained.
(5) Extreme fear of biological dangers such as snake bites, dog attacks, drowning, fire accidents, traffic accidents, darkness, and death.