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 exhibit traits such as sensitivity, suspicion, subjective stubbornness, excessive caution, over-concern for their bodies, and a personality characterized by a pursuit of perfection.
Experts warn: Hypochondriasis should not be ignored, as it significantly affects the physical health and psychology of the patient. Therefore, timely treatment at a regular hospital is necessary, and one should not delay treatment to avoid irreversible consequences, including phobias. The Shenyang Tianqiao Mental Health Research and Treatment Center has specially opened an online consultation service, where authoritative experts provide online answers to questions related to various diseases. They offer professional personalized guidance based on the condition, provide specialized treatment plans, and ensure confidentiality of the patient's condition.
Patients with hypochondriasis show prominent manifestations in the following areas:
(1) Adherence to health preservation principles. They follow a disciplined diet, have regular living habits, practice sexual restraint, value nutrition, admire various folk fitness methods and secrets, like taking tonics, and easily believe in secret prescriptions.
(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 climate and easily suffer from water and soil incompatibility.
(3) A particular interest in medical knowledge, making them susceptible to the influence of doctors and medical books. Hearing or seeing others fall ill can easily make them feel they have similar symptoms. When sick, they overly worry and fear, mistaking heat rash for syphilis sores. Their symptoms are often more severe and persistent than those of others with the same illness. They believe that medications either have too many side effects or easily lead to drug resistance, concluding that treatment is difficult and results unsatisfactory.
(4) Belief in being born deficient and later becoming imbalanced, having been weak and sickly since childhood, yet unable to benefit from tonics. This belief is deeply rooted.
(5) Extreme fear of biological dangers, such as snake bites, dog attacks, drowning, fire hazards, traffic accidents, darkness, and death.