Hypochondria means heightened illness concern. Thos means someone who has unexplained medical symptoms and worries about having a serious illness. Hypochondria is recognized as a true mental disorder, affecting approximately 5% to 10% of us.
I know people who thinks they got AIDS just because they deep kissed some lady. They refused to visit doctor.
People with hypochondria are catastrophizers, says Brian A. Fallon, MD, an associate professor of clinical psychiatry at New York State Psychiatric Institute. The disorder can take many forms. Some people become anxious or depressed, and others become obsessed with learning everything they can about symptoms and illnesses. Some go from doctor to doctor, hoping to find a diagnosis or confirmation of their fears, while others are afraid to seek treatment at all.
Four steps to address hypochondria
Check up. First, get your spouse to see a doctor you trust. Seeking a second opinion is fine, but if both doctors agree there's nothing physically wrong, suggest a visit to a psychiatrist.
Be caring but firm. Carla Cantor, author of Phantom Illness: Shattering the Myth of Hypochondria, recommends helping your spouse tie symptoms to stress, or emotional upheavals.
Don't dwell on illness. Encourage your spouse to verbalize fears about health, but don't join in, Cantor advises. If you feel yourself getting anxious, gently change the subject.
Consider couples therapy. While cognitive behavioral therapy can help the person with hypochondria, examining how the disorder affects your relationship will help you work together to battle it.
