Some people who seek advice from a doctor are faced with a diagnosis of "hypochondria". What it is? Is such a disorder a separate disease or does it indicate other, more dangerous disorders? What are the symptoms of this condition?
Hypochondria - what is it?
Immediately it should be noted that modern doctors rarely distinguish such a disorder as a separate disease. Nevertheless, patients with a diagnosis of "hypochondria" began to appear more and more often in hospitals and clinics. What is it?
People-hypochondriacs are sure that they have some kind of serious, even incurable disease. They not only believe in their disease, but also experience all its symptoms. This condition is often diagnosed in older patients and adolescents. A separate risk group includes people who are somehow connected with medicine. For example, many medical students experience symptoms of every disease they study.
It is believed that emotional people are more prone to such a disorder. To risk factorsit can be attributed to the patient's neurosis and psychosis of various origins, as well as obsessive delusional ideas. Hypochondria sometimes develops in people who had a serious illness in childhood, were subjected to physical, psychological or sexual abuse.
Hypochondria: symptoms of the disorder
In fact, hypochondria is different from the usual anxiety and concern for one's own he alth. Patients simply cannot control the occurrence of obsessive thoughts. There are different forms of this state.
Obsessive hypochondria is accompanied by anxiety and suspiciousness. Such people carefully listen to the work of their body and panic at the slightest discomfort.
The overvalued form is accompanied by approximately the same signs. But reactions to deterioration of he alth are more emotional. Even a common cold by such people can be regarded as an extremely serious illness. Patients do not believe the doctors' conclusions and often quarrel with specialists, believing that the assistance provided to them is insufficient.
There is also delusional hypochondria. What it is? This is the most severe form of the disorder, in which a person is absolutely sure that he has an incurable disease. At the same time, neither the results of the tests, nor even the conclusions of several doctors can convince him. This condition is often accompanied by depression and suicide attempts.
Treatment and diagnosis of hypochondria
Of course, for starters, the doctor will prescribea complete examination, including all necessary tests, ultrasound, examinations of other specialists. If the results of the research indicate a good state of he alth, no physical causes of discomfort were found, but the patient is still convinced of the presence of a dangerous disease, he is taken for a consultation with a psychotherapist.
How to get rid of hypochondria? Treatment naturally depends on the form and severity of the condition. For a complete cure, constant sessions with a psychotherapist, as well as the support of relatives and friends, are necessary. In some cases, antidepressants and antipsychotics are used.
