Gourt > Health > Mental Health > Disorders > Somatoform > Hypochondria
Hypochondria (or hypochondriasis, sometimes referred to as health anxiety or health phobia) is a somatoform disorder in which one has the unfounded belief that he or she is suffering from a serious illness. Hypochondria is often characterized by irrational fears of being diseased/dying, obsessions over minor bodily symptoms or imperfections, doubt and disbelief in doctors' diagnosis, constant self-examination and self-diagnosis and preoccupation with one's body. Hypochondriacs often require constant reassurance, sometimes from multiple doctors, family and friends.
Hypochondria is often associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety, and can also be brought on by stress.
Etymology
The term hypochondria comes from the Greek hypo- (below) and chondros (cartilage - of the breast bone). The term was originally used to describe unidentifiable stomach pains. It was thought by ancient Greek physicians that such pains were caused by the movement of the spleen, an organ located near the hypochondrium (the upper region of the abdomen just below the ribs on either side of the epigastrium). More on [ Hypochondria ]
Hypochondria Message Board - Message board community forthose persons suffering from Health Anxiety/Hypochondria.
Meta Description: [ This is a message board community that has been created to allow those persons either suffering from Health Anxiety/Hypochondria or know a loved one that is, to share and exchange information, ideas and emotional support about the causes and treatments of this condition. ]
Hypochondria - Written by Ingvard Wilhelmsen, MD, Ph.D. Introduction to hypochodria, symptoms, and treatment.
Know Your Own Mind - Hypochondria - Questionnaire and answers to see if one has hypochondria.
ParenTalk Newsletter: Hypochondria - Gives some causes why some adolescents suffer from this illness.
Self-Test for Hypochondria - The Whiteley Index which is a widely used test to find if one suffers from hypochondria.
Somatization and Somatoform Disorders - Diagnosis and treatment of somatization and somatoform disorders.
Meta Description: [ Diagnosis and treatment of somatization and somatoform disorders ]
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