Hypochondriasis: Is It All In Your Head?
“Researchers estimate that 3 to 14 percent of all medical (versus psychiatric) patients have hypochondriasis,” stated psychologist, Dr. Paul Moglia (Moglia 2). According to HopkinsDepression.com, “The condition . . . is a chronic anxiety disorder characterized by a preoccupation with being or becoming seriously ill despite evidence to the contrary (“Hypochondria: Is It All in Your Head?” 58).” Hypochondriasis, a mental psychological disorder, consists of genetic, self-inflicted, and surrounding environmental causes along with several treatment options available for hypochondriacs in today’s world. Hypochondriasis, the medical term, may be termed as hypochondria. The word hypochondria derives from hypochondrium, recalled from Hippocrates,
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Having experienced a severe disease, abuse, violence, parental issues, and other traumatic events during youth may also cause this disorder to develop later in life. (Schweitzer 25) Along with youth, the death of a loved one, biological happenings, (Wilson 2) and obtaining information about a disease from the media may also contribute as causes (“Hypochondria: Is It All in Your Head?” 58). Psychological experts have a well-known belief that hypochondriacs experience conflict with a deeply-felt fury (Moglia 2). Several theories have been introduced as to why hypochondria occurs. One theory, known as the social learning theory, explains that hypochondriacs use the “sick role” as an excuse out of habit in order to prevent having to confront any dilemmas or responsibilities in life (Schweitzer 28). Hypochondria allows patients to not feel terrible for living or feel undeserving of satisfaction. Hypersensitivity, or intensified bodily and/or mental feelings, causes one to stay alert for any symptoms. These two theories exist based on observational, scientific practices on patients whose disorder has improved with treatment. (Moglia 2-3) Typically other problems occur along with the disorder (Glendening 1). Hypochondriacs have other psychological disorders/illnesses various times because their own thoughts and worries cause extreme levels of anxiety and depression (Schweitzer 20). “About a third of hypochondriacs have a form that has striking similarities to obsessive compulsive disorder,” stated Brian Fallon, a psychiatrist (Wilson 2). According to another psychiatrist, Pernilla Schweitzer, “it is a combination of genetic vulnerabilities, environmental stressors, and psychological factors that contribute to the complex experience of hypochondriasis (Schweitzer 25).” Most patients affected with this disorder visit their doctors
Having experienced a severe disease, abuse, violence, parental issues, and other traumatic events during youth may also cause this disorder to develop later in life. (Schweitzer 25) Along with youth, the death of a loved one, biological happenings, (Wilson 2) and obtaining information about a disease from the media may also contribute as causes (“Hypochondria: Is It All in Your Head?” 58). Psychological experts have a well-known belief that hypochondriacs experience conflict with a deeply-felt fury (Moglia 2). Several theories have been introduced as to why hypochondria occurs. One theory, known as the social learning theory, explains that hypochondriacs use the “sick role” as an excuse out of habit in order to prevent having to confront any dilemmas or responsibilities in life (Schweitzer 28). Hypochondria allows patients to not feel terrible for living or feel undeserving of satisfaction. Hypersensitivity, or intensified bodily and/or mental feelings, causes one to stay alert for any symptoms. These two theories exist based on observational, scientific practices on patients whose disorder has improved with treatment. (Moglia 2-3) Typically other problems occur along with the disorder (Glendening 1). Hypochondriacs have other psychological disorders/illnesses various times because their own thoughts and worries cause extreme levels of anxiety and depression (Schweitzer 20). “About a third of hypochondriacs have a form that has striking similarities to obsessive compulsive disorder,” stated Brian Fallon, a psychiatrist (Wilson 2). According to another psychiatrist, Pernilla Schweitzer, “it is a combination of genetic vulnerabilities, environmental stressors, and psychological factors that contribute to the complex experience of hypochondriasis (Schweitzer 25).” Most patients affected with this disorder visit their doctors