Hypochondriacal Disorder

Hypochondriacal disorder, now often referred to as health anxiety disorder, is a mental health condition characterized by intense worry about having or developing a serious physical illness. Physical sensations are often interpreted as signs of a serious illness.

These worries usually persist despite medical examinations and normal test results, and often lead to significant distress in daily life.
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Typical Symptoms
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• Intense fear of serious illnesses

• Excessive preoccupation with physical symptoms

• Frequent checking of the body

• Repeated visits to the doctor or medical examinations

• Constant searching for information about illnesses

• Difficulty accepting reassuring test results

•  Heightened attention to physical sensations

• Avoidance of illness-related situations or information

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In the ICD-10, hypochondriacal disorder is classified under code F45.2
 

Prevalence
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Health anxiety is relatively common. It is estimated that a severe hypochondriacal disorder affects approximately 1–5% of the population.

Treatment
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Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assumes that symptoms are maintained by distressing thoughts, fears, and control behaviors. In particular, constant self-monitoring and repeated reassurance reinforce anxiety over the long term.

Treatment goals:
 

• Recognize and question distressing thoughts about illness

• Assess physical symptoms more realistically

• Reduce control and reassurance behaviors

• Improve coping with uncertainty and anxiety

• Focus less attention on physical symptoms

• Reduce avoidance behaviors

• Learn stress management strategies

• Prevent relapse