Are You a Hypochondriac?

It’s a real clinical condition, and treatment can help

When you’ve just read about a scary disease whose vague symptoms sound like yours, it’s natural to feel a twinge of worry. Most of us realize the odds are minimal and dismiss the thought. But what if you couldn’t do that?

Hypochondria is often joked about, but the reality is no laughing matter, says psychiatrist Brian Mika, M.D., of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. “People with this condition have an almost-phobic fear of having a serious illness,” he says. “Their symptoms are real, though misinterpreted, and their preoccupation continues despite their doctor’s reassurances.” This can take a severe toll on work, family and social life.

Hypochondria affects 1-5 percent of the population, of all ages and both genders. Another 10 percent of people have a milder version. Many hypochondriacs also have anxiety disorder, panic attacks or depression.

“Though the cause of hypochondria isn’t yet known, parental attitudes seem to be significant,” Mika says. “In other words, if your parent freaks out at every scratch, you learn this is how you’re supposed to react.”

Worriers have always been a fixture in doctors’ offices, says Mika’s colleague, family medicine physician William Miller, M.D. But today, they have a new trigger: the Internet. “They spend a lot of time surfing health sites and immediately feel at risk for just about everything,” Miller says. “They also discover lots of treatments they want.”

If you have health worries that affect your ability to function, see a mental health professional. “Therapy can help interrupt the destructive thought patterns,” Mika says. “And antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications may be useful, though they often cause temporary side effects that trigger more worry.”

The other crucial strategy is to find—and keep—a good primary doctor. “Avoid anyone who says your problems are all in your head,” Miller says. Ask your doctor to meet with you regularly. Listen to his or her advice, and don’t insist on every test that comes along. Miller urges his patients to refocus on things outside themselves, like social or civic activities.

If you live with a hypochondriac, be supportive but not over-involved, Miller says: “If you’re sympathetic, you reward the worrying; if not, you’re a mean spouse. It’s a no-win situation.” The key, Mika says, is to stay compassionate. “Remember, your loved one is behaving this way because she’s suffering from overwhelming anxiety.”

Want to Know More? For referral to a therapist who can help you cope with hypochondria, call 610-402-CARE.

Published from Healthy You Magazine, March-April 2008

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