Charles Darwin. . Charlie was an adorably neurotic hypochondriac who loved treatments like “water cures” for his perceived ailments, where he would take a cold bath and be wrapped in wet sheets (and rubbed down with them). The famous scientist also kept meticulous records of his own flatulence.
Nightingale did not think of herself as a hypochondriac, but in her bedridden industry she resembles a writer well informed about current medical theories regarding hypochondria at the end of the 19th century.
Hypochondria is a type of anxiety disorder. It is also known as health anxiety, or illness anxiety disorder, or hypochondriasis. It is normal for people to worry about their health now and again. But people who experience hypochondria get very worried that they are seriously ill, or are about to become seriously ill.
Repeatedly checking your body for signs of illness or disease. Frequently making medical appointments for reassurance — or avoiding medical care for fear of being diagnosed with a serious illness. Avoiding people, places or activities for fear of health risks. Constantly talking about your health and possible illnesses.
People with somatic symptom disorder -- thought of as being hypochondriacs -- are worried about having a physical illness.
Hypochondria is often characterized by fears that minor bodily or mental symptoms may indicate a serious illness, constant self-examination and self-diagnosis, and a preoccupation with one's body.
Someone with hypochondria might have a stomach ache, for example, and rather than understand it as a reaction to something they ate or a bug, fear that they have stomach cancer or appendicitis. They tend to fear severe illnesses like cancer or HIV, rather than more common health ailments like strep throat or a cold.
“Many of the symptoms that hypochondriacs feel are often physical sensations caused by anxiety or depression that can go along with hypochondria. The constant worrying can release harmful stress hormones and do real physical damage.”
Hypochondriasis is the fear or belief that one has a serious disease based on the misinterpretation of bodily symptoms. Anxiety and fear about the disease persist despite normal medical evaluations and reassurance.
In all likelihood, Nightingale had not one, but four different disorders, all at least loosely inter-related—bipolar personality disorder, Crimean fever (brucellosis), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and terminal, senile dementia (Alzheimer's disease).
5 Signs of an Introverted Narcissist: Hypochondria
An introverted narcissist often suffers from hypochondria. They use sickness and disease to garner attention. Introverted narcissists do not usually get attention for accomplishments or achievements, because they never try.
Illness anxiety disorder (hypochondria) is extremely rare. It affects about 0.1% of Americans. It typically appears during early adulthood. Illness anxiety disorder can affect all ages and genders.
While the DSM-5 has now retired the use of this term and split it into two separate disorders, the VA still recognizes hypochondriasis and you can receive a VA rating for hypochondriasis, somatic symptom disorder, or anxiety based on the VASRD.
When does hypochondria start? Somatic symptom disorder usually starts in early adulthood. It may appear during recovery from a serious illness, or after a loved one or close friend becomes ill or dies. An underlying medical condition can trigger somatic symptom disorder.
Don't dwell on illness. Encourage them to verbalize fears about their health, but don't join in. Be supportive, but don't show too much concern and try to stay neutral in your answers. Express that you understand their struggle, without encouraging their obsessive thoughts.
Hypochondria is itself a form of mild psychosis. The hypochondriac has a deep and ungrounded worry about having or developing a serious mental illness. Paranoia and suspiciousness are classical traits of psychosis but they can be subtle.
The term is one of the oldest medical terms and used to describe disorders believed to be situated in the hypochondrium, which is the area under the “khondros,” the cartilage, ribs, especially stomach, spleen, and liver.
One characteristic frequently related to hypochondriasis is narcissism, or self-centeredness, he said.
Hypochondriasis is a mental disorder in which a person experiences extreme anxiety related to a perceived illness or medical condition, even when no physical disease is present. People with hypochondriasis are afraid that they are seriously ill or have some other kind of significant physical problem.
Hypochondriac comes ultimately from the Greek word hypokhondria, which literally means “under the cartilage (of the breastbone).” In the late 16th century, when hypochondriac first entered the English language, it referred to the upper abdomen.
Antidepressants are most commonly prescribed medications for illness anxiety disorder. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are typically the first-choice antidepressants. SSRIs include medications like: Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Curing hypochondria, or the obsessive search for cures, does not happen instantly. It takes time, effort, and commitment to changing one's life for the better. However, with therapy, medication if necessary, and positive lifestyle changes, you can train your mind to use its curative powers for good rather than ill.