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Understanding Hypochondria, Excessive Anxiety Against Disease

Hypochondria or hypochondriasis is an anxiety disorder for the disease. People who experience hypochondria believe that they have a serious or life-threatening disease. Yet when examined medically, actually the disease did not exist. Hypochondria are mental health problems that result from psychological responses that can occur occasionally, even continuously. This depends on the severity that occurs. Hypochondria can occur at any age, but early signs of symptoms are usually seen in adulthood, around 25-35 years.

Various Causes of Hypochondria

The cause of hypochondria is not yet clearly known. However, there are several factors that are considered to cause a person to experience hypochondria, including:
  • Lack of understanding of diseases and sensations felt by the body, so assume what is felt is due to a serious illness.
  • Having a traumatic experience of the disease as a child, so as an adult is very afraid of the sensations or various physical complaints experienced
  • Having family members who are very worried about health.
In addition, risk factors that also trigger a person experiencing hypochondria, include stress, feeling too worried, having experienced abuse, or finding out the symptoms felt through various health information excessively.

Recognize the symptoms of hypochondria

Hypochondria has a variety of symptoms. One of the most common symptoms is too anxious to experience a serious illness. There are also a variety of other symptoms, including:
  • High level of anxiety about personal health.
  • Fear of illness is experienced for at least six months.
  • Worried about the mild symptoms associated with serious illness.
  • Repeatedly checking his own body to detect signs of disease.
  • Often make an appointment with a doctor to ensure the existence of the disease.
  • Avoid many people, places, or activities, for fear of getting sick.
However, fear experienced by patients of an illness, is not influenced by other mental health disorders.

How to treat hypochondria

The goal of hypochondrial treatment is more focused on dealing with complaints, helping sufferers deal with various symptoms and anxiety that interfere, and help sufferers be able to live their daily activities. This treatment usually involves psychotherapy and sometimes also given medicines from a doctor's prescription. The most common type of psychotherapy used to treat hypochondria is cognitive behavioral therapy. This therapy can be useful:
  • Helps identify fear and anxiety.
  • Change the way you deal with sensations or symptoms that are felt.
  • Reducing avoidance of social activities or situations due to symptoms felt.
  • Reduces repeated checking of the body's behavior.
  • Helps overcome anxiety and depression that can arise.
Consumption of drugs to treat hypochondira, preferably in consultation with a doctor first. Avoid taking antidepressants without doctor's recommendation. If you or your family experience hypochondrial symptoms, don't hesitate to visit a psychiatrist to get a safe and appropriate treatment.

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