Hypochondria

Hypochondria, medically referred to as Illness Anxiety Disorder, is a psychological condition characterized by an excessive preoccupation with the fear of having a serious, undiagnosed medical illness, despite having little to no somatic symptoms. Individuals with hypochondria are often highly anxious about health, misinterpret normal body sensations or minor symptoms as signs of serious disease, and frequently seek medical attention or reassurance about their health status. They may engage in excessive health research, doctor-shopping, or alternatively, avoid medical care due to fear of discovering a dreaded disease.

From a diagnostic perspective, health anxiety is persistent, typically lasting for six months or more, and it can lead to significant impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of functioning. The exact cause of illness anxiety disorder is not known; however, it is believed to involve a combination of psychological factors, such as a history of trauma or severe illness during childhood, and individual traits, including a tendency toward anxiety or negative thinking patterns. While hypochondria was formerly categorized as a somatoform disorder, the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) classifies it under Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders, differentiating it from the closely related Somatic Symptom Disorder.