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 basis for these suspicions, patients still believe they are suffering from some illness and often experience symptoms of anxiety and restlessness. Such patients typically exhibit traits such as sensitivity, suspicion, subjective stubbornness, excessive caution, an overemphasis on physical well-being, and a pursuit of perfection.
Experts warn: Hypochondriasis must not be ignored, as it significantly impacts both the physical and mental health of the patient. Therefore, timely treatment at a reputable hospital is necessary. Do not delay treatment, which could result in irreversible consequences. The Shenyang Tianqiao Mental Health Research and Treatment Center offers specialized online consultation services, where authoritative experts provide answers to related health issues, offer professional personalized guidance based on the patient's condition, propose effective treatment plans, and ensure confidentiality regarding the patient's condition.
Patients with hypochondriasis prominently exhibit the following characteristics:
(1) Adherence to health preservation principles. They maintain a disciplined diet, regular living habits, control sexual desires, emphasize nutrition, value various folk fitness methods and secrets, prefer tonics, and easily trust secret formulas.
(2) Excessive attention to sensations from internal organs and limbs. Patients often report abnormal sensory experiences and show great concern for complexion, tongue coating, pulse, weight, bowel movements, and urination. They are highly sensitive to changes in lifestyle and weather conditions, and easily suffer from discomfort due to environmental changes.
(3) A particular interest in medical knowledge. They are easily influenced by doctors and medical books, and when hearing or seeing others fall ill, they tend to feel similar symptoms themselves. When sick, they excessively worry and fear, mistaking harmless conditions (like heat rash) for serious illnesses (like syphilis). Their symptoms are often more severe and persistent compared to others with the same condition. They believe medications either have too many side effects or easily lead to drug resistance. In summary, they experience insomnia, find treatment difficult, and perceive poor therapeutic effects.
(4) A firm belief in being born with deficiencies and having an imbalance in later life, considering themselves weak and prone to illness 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, traffic accidents, darkness, and death.