What is hypochondriasis? It is a kind of neurosis with hypochondriacal symptoms as the main clinical manifestation. Patients with this condition are overly concerned about their physical health or the function of a particular part of their body, suspecting that they have contracted some serious illness. Typically, these patients exhibit symptoms such as tension, anxiety, and depression. They also develop a fear of illness, coupled with extremely painful fantasies, all of which affect their own health. Therefore, both patients and their families should correctly understand what hypochondriasis is and choose professional and regular hospitals for treatment. In order to better inform patients about hypochondriasis and its harmful effects, we provide the following introduction:
Hypochondriacs stand out in the following areas: (1) Adherence to health-preserving principles. They eat in moderation, maintain a regular schedule, control sexual desires, value nutrition, admire various folk fitness methods and secrets, like taking tonics, and easily believe in secret prescriptions. (2) Excessive attention to various sensations from internal organs and limbs. Patients often experience abnormal sensations and are very concerned about their complexion, tongue coating, pulse, weight, bowel movements, etc. They are sensitive to changes in lifestyle and weather, and easily suffer from water and soil intolerance. (3) A special interest in medical knowledge, easily influenced by doctors and medical books. Hearing or seeing others fall ill makes them feel they have similar symptoms. When sick, they excessively worry and fear, mistaking heat rash for syphilis sores. Their symptoms tend to be more severe and persistent than those with the same illness. They believe that taking medicine either has too many side effects or easily leads to drug resistance, in short, treatment is difficult and the therapeutic effect is poor. (4) Self-perception of congenital insufficiency and postnatal imbalance, being frail and frequently ill since childhood, yet not benefiting from tonics. This belief is deeply rooted. (5) Extreme fear of biological dangers, fearing snake bites, dog bites, water, fire, traffic accidents, darkness, death, etc.
Many hypochondriacs exhibit prominent dependency traits, and their dependence on parents can easily shift to doctors. Common temperament features include irritability, tension, and annoyance. Some indeed have physical weaknesses, such as unstable autonomic nervous system function, prone to catching colds, etc. Others are stubborn, never willing to accept failure, unwilling to admit mistakes, ambitious but suppressed and not outwardly expressive.
A considerable number of hypochondriacs have a parent with personality disorders or neuroses. Parents' excessive concern and anxiety about their children's health can easily sow the seeds of hypochondriasis in their children. Some parents are very strict with their children, but when the children are sick, they grant special amnesty and give extra preferential treatment, which seems to be driving their children towards hypochondriasis.
Some hypochondriacal ideas can be understood as personal exclusive explanatory models. An unsuccessful amateur singer developed hypochondriasis after vocal experts pointed out that his singing practice method was wrong and harmful to his voice. He firmly believed that his vocal cords were injured and asymmetrical, and his singing became less pleasant. Several ENT doctors examined him and unanimously concluded that his vocal cords were normal and symmetrical, but the patient completely rejected the explanation, repeatedly requesting diagnosis and treatment from ENT doctors, eventually being referred to the psychiatric department. Apart from the hypochondriacal idea, this patient had no other symptoms and no physical pain. His suffering was mental. We have reason to infer that if this singer did not consider himself sick, then failing to achieve the singing success he desired might make him feel ashamed or guilty. Now, with his vocal cords "ill", he found an explanation that excused him from feeling shame or guilt for his inability to sing well.
It is not the general form of psychotherapy for doctors to use their explanatory model to try to persuade patients and replace the patient's personal exclusive explanatory model. The key points of psychotherapy lie in understanding the patient, helping the patient, and promoting the patient to meet their needs in a constructive way.