Hypochondria
Einstein Health Glossary
ICD 10 - F45.2
What is hypochondria?
Also known as nosomiphilia, hypochondria is a psychological disorder characterized by a persistent belief of having a health problem.
Symptoms
Hypochondria causes a constant and irrational fear of becoming ill or of not having been properly diagnosed. This can lead to distress, social isolation, compulsive internet searches, self-medication, and its possible consequences.
Causes
In most cases, hypochondria is triggered by a traumatic event or by conditions such as anxiety and depression.
Diagnosis
Hypochondria is diagnosed after a detailed psychological evaluation, which includes medical support to verify whether the person’s health complaints are real or not.
Prevention Method
There is no known prevention for hypochondria.
Treatment
Treatment for people with hypochondria involves psychotherapy and medications that help manage issues such as anxiety and depression.
Duration
The duration of hypochondria varies depending on the severity of the case. In general, it lasts for at least six months.
Is it contagious?
No, hypochondria is not contagious. It is an individual psychological disorder and cannot be transmitted from one person to another.
Can it occur more than once?
People with hypochondria may experience relapses after long periods of remission.