“I am not crazy. Doctors need to understand that no one behaves this way out of boredom or for fun. Every time I walk into the doctor’s office, hoping to finally understand what’s been going on in my mind, it feels like a small death. Many people tell me to think positively or visualize happy moments when panic hits. I’m trying, but even imagining butterflies is no match for the monstrous thought that I have cancer.”

Stefan, 63

“Once, I had a terrible cough and had to be hospitalized. I thought I had lung cancer, but the diagnosis was pulmonary embolism. When I googled it, I learned it’s similar to a heart attack but affects the lungs. I survived, but I was terrified and sought a second opinion. The other doctor denied my diagnosis but didn’t explain my condition. I spent four years searching for answers, which was the start of my obsessive health concerns. Since then, I’ve been tested for various cancers, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and rare diseases. There are several hospitals I’ll never visit again because I find the doctors ignorant of my symptoms.”

Ivan, 45

These stories exemplify the experiences of hypochondriacs, who live in constant fear of imminent death. Hypochondria, also known as illness anxiety disorder, is defined as the preoccupation with an imagined illness and exaggerated symptoms lasting at least six months, causing significant distress. It usually appears in people in their 20s to 30s and affects men and women equally. It can be triggered by a friend or family member’s illness, depression, or generalized anxiety disorder.

Hypochondriacs live in a vicious cycle of anxiety about serious illnesses, detaching from interests and duties, and losing joy in life. Their main focus becomes their symptoms—loss of appetite, insomnia, headaches—reinforcing their belief that they are seriously ill.

Although often seen as harmless, hypochondria can become a devastating obsession. The illness often becomes central to the patient’s identity, with unfounded anxiety about any physical or mental symptom, no matter how minor. They are convinced that a serious diagnosis is inevitable, leading them to undergo numerous tests and consult various specialists.

Contrary to some beliefs, hypochondriacs do not pretend or seek attention. Their distress is real, even if it has no obvious medical basis. What is difficult for hypochondriacs to accept is that normal, healthy people also have symptoms. Sufferers pay extreme attention to bodily sensations that most people ignore. In hypochondria, an upset stomach signals cancer, and a headache means a brain tumor. The stress from these worries can worsen symptoms.

The internet revolution has made it easier to be a hypochondriac. While quick access to health information can help people make educated health decisions, it can be disastrous for those prone to health anxiety. Today, an avalanche of sources and studies is just a click away. To be diagnosed with hypochondria, a patient must experience health anxiety for at least six months, despite medical assurances to the contrary.

Causes of Hypochondria

The exact cause of hypochondria is unclear, but several factors may play a significant role:

Beliefs and Sensitivities: People with health anxiety may struggle with uncertainty about unusual bodily sensations and have a low pain threshold. This leads them to believe these sensations signal a health problem. Self-criticism, perfectionism, or both can also trigger hypochondria.

Family Influence: Those with parents who worry excessively about their own health are more likely to experience health anxiety. It can also be triggered by approaching the age at which a parent died, especially if it was premature. Serious childhood illness or the death of a close friend or relative can also be factors.

Media and Internet Influence: Articles, TV shows, and ads about serious illnesses are often vague and incomplete, contributing to the fear of disease.

Symptoms of Hypochondria

Some symptoms include:

• Frequent doctor visits for minor symptoms, resulting in a lack of trust and seeking multiple opinions.
• Excessive anxiety about health.
• Constantly talking about diseases with friends and acquaintances.
• Self-diagnosis after reading or hearing about diseases.
• Constantly checking blood pressure, heart rate, and body for abnormalities.
• Avoiding school, work, or public places out of fear of illness.
• Continuously searching the internet for diseases and symptoms.
• Insisting on endless tests and procedures.

How can patients be “cured” when they believe they are seriously ill despite medical evidence to the contrary? Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which emphasizes how thinking affects feelings, actions, and physical symptoms, offers an answer. A study shows that six 90-minute individual sessions of CBT significantly reduce symptoms and distress in hypochondriacs, with continued improvement over time. In contrast, those who did not receive this therapy showed no similar improvement.

CBT is effective because it targets the underlying problem—how patients think about their symptoms. They often believe that every troubling sensation has a medical explanation, which isn’t always true. For instance, lower back pain is often an unpleasant sensation without a medical explanation.

Hypochondria is a serious condition that can significantly impact your quality of life. If you are struggling with constant health anxieties, seeking professional help is crucial. At my practice, I specialize in treating hypochondria and other anxiety-related disorders through evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). My goal is to help you break the cycle of health anxiety and reclaim your life.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact me. Remember, you don’t have to navigate this journey alone—support and relief are available.