Best Malayali Psychologist
for Hypochondriasis Treatment

What are the known symptoms of Hypochondriasis?
 

Hypochondriasis or Illness Anxiety Disorder is marked by excessive worry about the physical health. Recognizing its symptoms is a key for properly addressing and managing the condition.

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• Mental Preoccupation:
  The individual is constantly preoccupied with thoughts of developing a chronic illness which is leading to heightened anxiety and interference with everyday tasks.
  Example: Sarah is always scared she has a serious illness, even though she feels okay physically. She frequently examines her body and looks up symptoms to check for any signs of illness.

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• Excessive and Constant Worry:
  There is a constant overwhelming fear of getting a serious illness which affects their relationships and overall performance in many areas of life.
  Example: David is always anxious that he might have cancer despite his doctors saying he's healthy. Sarah is always scared she has a serious illness, even though she feels okay physically.

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• Conscious About Bodily Changes: The person becomes easily alarmed by any perceived changes in physical health. Constantly paying attention to how your body feels can make you think that normal changes in your body are signs of a serious illness.
  Example: Lisa feels her heart racing occasionally and immediately thinks she's having a heart attack. She gets anxious and seeks medical help for every little physical feeling.

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• Feel Unassured After Tests: Coping with negative test results becomes a struggle. Someone might question their medical test results if they feel the results don't match their own sense of being unwell.
  Example: After receiving normal test results, He still believes he's seriously ill. He doubts the tests and seeks multiple opinions from different doctors.

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• Avoid Places and People: People with hypochondriasis may become so anxious about germs and infections that they avoid public places and socializing with others. This irrational fear can negatively impact productivity and relationships.
  Example: Amy avoids crowded places and stays away from people who might be sick because she's scared of getting an illness.

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• Constantly Thinking of Appointments: TThe person gets several medical opinions even if tests come back negative. The ongoing need to see different specialists even without physical symptoms is a typical behavior.
  Example: Arun has visited five different doctors for the same symptom, but all the tests have come back normal. He keeps booking appointments with different specialists hoping to get a new diagnosis.

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​​These symptoms significantly affect the individual's daily life. Getting professional help, like therapy or counseling, is essential for managing and improving your overall well-being. An online counseling and online psychologists can provide valuable support and guidance.

What Causes Hypochondriasis?

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The factors that can contribute to an individual suffering from hypochondriasis include:

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• History of Childhood Abuse: People who went through childhood trauma or emotional abuse might be more likely to show signs of hypochondria as adults.

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• Belief System: People who think they can't handle pain might end up overthinking their physical feelings, which can cause ongoing worry and fear, sometimes leading to hypochondriasis.

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• Experiences: When people see their parents or close family members constantly worried about their health, it can affect their own thinking. This constant fear from those they look up to can lead them to develop hypochondria.

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• Use of the Internet: People who often look up their physical symptoms online might be more likely to show signs of hypochondria. Searching for health info online can increase worries about one’s health.

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• Loss of a Loved One: Witnessing a close family member suffer from a severe illness, such as cancer, can be a triggering factor for hypochondriasis. Losing a loved one can make it hard to handle physical changes without worrying about serious illness.

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It's important to recognize that hypochondriasis is a complex mental health condition and a combination of factors which includes both psychological and environmental which can contribute to its development. Seeking professional help and intervention such as therapy or counseling is crucial for the individuals who is experiencing hypochondriasis to address these underlying factors and improve their overall well-being.