| Hypochondriasis is usually episodic, with | | | | symptoms. |
| hypochondriacal periods lasting from months to years | | | | Causes of Hypochondriasis |
| and with equally long quiescent periods. | | | | Common causes and Risk factors of Hypochondriasis |
| Hypochondriasis appears to occur equally in men and | | | | Physical or sexual abuse. |
| women. Hypochondriasis manifests in various ways. | | | | Poor ability to express emotions. |
| Some people have numerous intrusive thoughts and | | | | Neurochemical deficits. |
| physical sensations that push them to check with | | | | Social position.education level. |
| family, friends and physicians. Other people are so | | | | Marital status. |
| afraid of any reminder of illness that they will avoid | | | | Signs and Symptoms of Hypochondriasis |
| medical professionals for a seemingly minor problem, | | | | Common Sign and Symptoms of Hypochondriasis |
| sometimes to the point of becoming neglectful of | | | | Borborygmi. |
| their health when a serious condition may exist and | | | | Abdominal bloating. |
| go undiagnosed. The symptoms they describe can | | | | Crampy discomfort. |
| range from general complaints-such as pain or | | | | Cardiac awareness. |
| tiredness-to concerns about normal body functions | | | | Sweating. |
| such as breathing or stomach noises. People with | | | | Treatment of Hypochondriasis |
| hypochondriasis are not faking or lying about their | | | | Common Treatment of Hypochondriasis |
| symptoms; they truly believe they are sick. The | | | | People with hypochondriasis may also benefit from |
| symptoms associated with hypochondriasis are not | | | | psychotherapy. Group therapy, behavior modification, |
| under the person's voluntary control, and can cause | | | | and cognitive therapy have been reported to work |
| great distress and/or can interfere with a person's | | | | particularly well. |
| normal functioning. Developmental and other | | | | Drugs are generally not used to treat hypochondriasis |
| predisposing factors consistently indicate the | | | | specifically. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors |
| importance of parental attitudes toward disease, | | | | (SSRIs), such as sertraline, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, or |
| previous experience with physical disease, and | | | | paroxetine, are sometimes prescribed. |
| culturally acquired attitudes relevant to the etiology | | | | Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps you identify |
| of the disorder. Neurochemical deficits with | | | | thoughts that contribute to fears about illness and to |
| hypochondriasis and some other somatoform | | | | correct the misinterpretation of body sensations. |
| disorders (eg, BDD) appear similar to those of | | | | Behavioral-stress management therapy teaches |
| depressive and anxiety disorders. The social learning | | | | stress management and relaxation techniques to help |
| theory frames hypochondriasis as a request for | | | | people avoid becoming focused on illness during |
| admission to the sick role made by a person facing | | | | stressful situations. |
| seemingly insurmountable and insolvable problems. | | | | Acupuncture has also been shown to help. |
| Treatment with serotonin reuptake inhibitors, a class | | | | Eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole |
| of antidepressants, may be effective. | | | | grains. |
| Cognitive-behavior therapy may also relieve | | | | Limit sugar, dairy, and refined, processed foods. |