Hypochondriacal disorder - symptoms and treatment. Hypochondria

Hypochondria is neurotic disorder psyche, which manifests itself in a person’s phobia in relation to his own health.

At the same time, the patient is clearly sure that he is seriously ill and dangerous disease which cannot be cured. In fact, these suspicions have no justification and in most cases are considered false.

Such a human condition timely diagnosis and with correctly selected treatment methods it is quite easy to correct. The most important thing in in this case the mood of the patient himself, since the speed of recovery depends on his efforts and efforts.

Characteristics of a depressed state

IN medical terminology The concept of hypochondria usually means exaggerated preoccupation, which in to a greater extent aimed at human well-being. The patient is completely convinced that he is seriously ill, and sometimes even medical examinations cannot convince him otherwise.

The very first this type mental disorders were described by Hippocrates, after which detailed study Claudius Galen began to deal with such an unusual condition.

If we translate “hypochondria” from Greek, it will mean a disease internal organs, which were localized slightly below the area where the costal arch is located.

IN modern world Hypochondria can also be identified with an excessive state of despondency and pretense.

Hypochondriacal syndrome can be diagnosed as separate disease, as well as appear together with other pathology, accompanied by additional symptoms. This fact was proven relatively recently, confirmed by very interesting results of the research.

In most cases, in practice, hypochondria closely interacts with disorders such as depression and anxiety. If you cure at least one of them, then the original ailment also disappears.

Medical statistics confirm the fact that today more than 10% of all people in the world are diagnosed with hypochondria.

And American scientists raise these figures to almost 20%.

Causes of anxiety

Unfortunately, modern scientists have not been able to establish specific reasons that could cause the development of the disorder. However, physiologists suggest that the following processes may play a huge role in the development of this disorder:

• changes in the functioning of human brain structures;
• violation of the correct perception by the cerebral cortex of impulses that come from internal organs;
• Availability delusional states, and later the manifestation of the disorders themselves;
• failure in work autonomic system and cerebral cortex.

It has been noticed that when making a diagnosis, patients can quite vividly and colorfully describe the signs of diseases such as cancer, organ ailments urinary system, severe incurable infectious diseases and others.

Who is at risk

Hypochondria quite often manifests itself in those individuals who are very easily susceptible to various kinds of suggestion and react sensitively to all the data that comes to them from the media.

Among hypochondriacs, the most common people are elderly people, but there are also cases where children and even teenagers suffered from a similar disorder. In such a situation, their condition was considered unstable due to the fact that the children's brain very quickly and easily absorbs all the information that comes from the outside world.

The disorder is diagnosed in the same proportion in both females and males. Also very often similar diagnosis are put to medical students who almost every day have to deal with various diseases and severe patients, as well as those who draw information from textbooks about pathological conditions human body.

The risk group includes the following categories of people:

• prone to developing psychoses of various origins and forms;
• when diagnosing a patient of various types;
• if you have delusional ideas;
• in older people who cannot come to terms with the fact that they have begun to grow old;
• a person who has trouble communicating with colleagues and friends;
• in patients whose sexual life was not very successful.

It is also impossible to note the fact that hypochondria can very often be provoked by various types of advertising and Internet resources, since in them you can get an unlimited amount of information about medical terms and diseases, as well as medications.

Varieties of the syndrome

Depending on the symptoms that appear, the disease is divided into the following types:

What do hypochondriacs look like in real life?

Among the symptoms of hypochondria, doctors identify the following:

• constant anxiety about one’s own health;
• concern;
• irritability;
• prostration;
• depression;
• self-isolation;
• loss of appetite;
• the need to prove something to someone;
• in some cases aggression;
• drowsiness or, conversely, insomnia;
• suicidal thoughts.

Symptoms of hypochondria are divided into several groups according to severity. These include:

Solving the problem yourself

In order to get rid of hypochondria, obsessions and conditions regarding one’s health, a hypochondriac will only need to make their own efforts.

For example, caring about new things will help to distract negative thoughts very well. pet. By getting a puppy, a person will be completely immersed in an atmosphere of care and concern for the animal, while he will be able to take him for walks fresh air, which is very important in the treatment of this disorder.

A woman, for example, can take up knitting or embroidery. If the patient lives in a private house, then she can be asked to arrange a small garden and the front yard of the house (plant flowers and care for them throughout the entire period of their growth). Constant worries will not leave time to look for information about diseases in books or the Internet.

IN recovery period It is necessary that the patient devotes a sufficient amount of time to rest and sleep. In order to relieve nervous and physical tension, you can go for walks in a park or forest. If possible, swimming and massage will be helpful.

Before going to bed, it is useful to drink a cup of hot tea based on chamomile, lemon balm or mint. Don't forget about your loved ones. Regular spending time and communication with them will benefit the hypochondriac.

Professional treatment

The first task that a doctor faces during the treatment of this mental disorder is considered to be a thorough examination. general condition patient's health. To do this, the following examinations are prescribed:

• laboratory blood test;
• laboratory urine analysis;
• stool analysis;
• ultrasound diagnostics (ultrasound);
• electrocardiogram.

After receiving the results of the analysis, the attending physician may prescribe additional tests that will help him determine full picture diseases.

The purpose of such a thorough examination is to establish the general health of the patient. This will allow the specialist to fully understand what is currently happening in the hypochondriac’s head.

The main treatment methods used to treat hypochondria are medications and sessions with a psychotherapist. Specialists such as a neurologist and psychiatrist can also be involved in treatment.

Working with a psychologist makes it possible to change the patient’s perception and worldview. Regular sessions with a specialist help you look at the world with a more positive outlook and perceive it in a completely different way.

In order for the results to be absorbed and well consolidated, the support and help of close relatives is very important, because in In most cases, they are the ones who bring the hypochondriac to his first visit to the doctor! The duration of the therapy itself will depend on the severity and course of the disease itself.

Only a qualified specialist can prescribe drugs. In most cases, psychotherapists prescribe antidepressants (Fevarin or Fluoxetine) to treat hypochondria.

In the same case, if the symptoms worsen, it is advisable to use a group of antipsychotics (or Seroquel) and tranquilizers (Phenazepam and Grandaxin).

The dosage and duration of taking the medicine is determined only by the attending physician. It is strictly forbidden to cancel or increase the dose of the drug on your own!

Danger Lurking

(syndrome) is not considered death sentence for a person. Such people are perceived as an ordinary whiner or a liar.

The danger of such a disorder for a person lies only in the fact that he can independently prescribe medications to himself, which in turn can only harm his health (primarily the liver and kidneys can be damaged).

Preventive actions

In order to avoid the transition of hypochondria to severe and dangerous pathology, you must follow the following recommendations:

In each case, symptoms will manifest themselves individually. The longer and more regularly the unpleasant signs of the disorder appear, the more the person’s health worsens.

Only competent and qualified specialists, as well as the support of family and friends, can help in this case!

Many people are familiar with the situation when their friends or relatives worry about their health with pathological zeal. They become afraid of getting sick and often go through complete medical examination, without a doctor’s prescription they give various tests. From such people you can hear statements: “I am afraid that I have this disease,” “I struggled with one disease, and now it seems there are others,” “I was afraid of getting this disease, but now I feel its symptoms,” or “Aren’t you afraid that I will get sick and die?”

In addition, such people constantly wash their hands, disinfect the room unnecessarily, communicate only with healthy (in their opinion) people, and experience panic fear get sick with something.

By medical concepts, the condition described above, are signs of a disease called “hypochondria”. Also, this mental disorder is also called “pathophobia”.

Causes of phobia

According to statistics, hypochondriacal symptoms observed in 4-6% of the population. Based on this, we can say with confidence that about 10% of initial visits to the doctor are associated with fear of illness.

The occurrence of this mental disorder can be triggered by various factors, such as:

• genetic characteristics;
• loss, due to serious illness, of a loved one;
• presence of chronic diseases;
• lack of attention;
• physical violence;
• having a relative with a serious illness. In this case, the behavior pattern may be copied;
• prolonged stress state;
• shortcomings in education.

Personality type also influences the development of disease-related phobias. Often, people who are suspicious by nature cannot cope with pathophobia, which causes concern not only for themselves, but also for their loved ones.

The fear of getting sick among suspicious people is reinforced by the media, with its own intrusive advertising medicines and programs that describe in detail the symptoms of various diseases. A person, due to suspiciousness, without meaning to, begins to look for signs incurable disease at home. Gradually, this “hobby” develops into an obsessive state.

Note - signs of hypochondria may also appear in healthy people. For a long time known fact that students of medical schools, undergoing training and practice, begin to be afraid and look for symptoms of the diseases that are being studied. And, oddly enough, they find it. The tendency of students to pathophobia usually manifests itself before graduation educational institution, although they, as future doctors, should be aware of how to deal with hypochondria.

Symptoms and treatment

When diagnosing hypochondria, it is important to distinguish obvious malingering from a mental disorder. A malingerer differs from a person with a phobia in that, having benefited from simulating an illness, he does not continue to “storm” medical institutions.

The hypochondriac himself believes and obsessively tries to convince others and doctors that he has a serious illness. Often, such behavior can be explained by the fact that a person is subconsciously trying to avoid making a decision. various problems. In this case, he cannot independently understand the cause of the disorder, much less understand how to get rid of hypochondria.

Experts identify some patterns in the behavior of a person who has a fear of getting sick:

• irritability and nervousness;
• vulnerability;
• unstable emotional state;
• monotonous speech;
• depressed state;
• apathy;
• the topic of illness prevails over everyday issues;
• shows aggressiveness towards those who do not believe he has the disease;
• pathological tendency to restore order and cleanliness;
• loss of appetite;
• many hours of searching for information on the Internet or in reference books about any disease;
• the presence of phobias to specific diseases;
• a person is afraid that he will become infected public place or in transport. Such people, before leaving the house, put on a protective (medical) mask, and open the doors with a napkin.

Treatment of the disorder

The fear of getting sick is quite difficult to treat, since the patient is completely confident in the self-imposed terrible diagnoses, and does not agree with the fact that the whole point is a mental disorder. All suggestions from the attending physician on how to get rid of fear are met with hostility by the patient. He explains his behavior by the fact that, supposedly fighting fear, precious time will be lost, and the imaginary disease will reach the stage where it turns out to be incurable.

The difficult task of a doctor is to change the patient’s train of thought, as well as his behavior. It is precisely by changing stereotypes that the patient will be able to return to normal life even if some manifestations of the disorder remain.

But the most difficult period in the treatment of hypochondria is considered to be the initial one, since it will not be easy for the doctor to gain the patient’s trust. The patient is usually confident in the incompetence of the specialist, and does not give up trying to find another one who will confirm the invented diagnosis.

How to help a person in such a state?

Since the fear of getting sick is a difficult-to-treat condition, the relatives of the sick person should come to the rescue first of all. Their role is to persuade the hypochondriac to visit a psychotherapist (psychiatrist).

To talk about visiting a specialist, you need to choose the right moment, for example, during a confidential conversation. In order for the conversation to work out, it is recommended to adhere to the following rules:

• You cannot refute the beliefs of the sick person. Find arguments that are meaningful to the person, for example, the fact that nervous tension has a detrimental effect on health and can cause new diseases.
• It is not recommended to resort to deception, for example, to persuade a person to visit a therapist, but to bring him to a psychiatrist. When the deception is revealed, the patient will withdraw into himself, and contact with the doctor will be completely lost.
• In some cases, if relatives cannot cope and persuade the pathophobia themselves, they will have to personally visit the doctor to get recommendations on how to convince the hypochondriac to come to see him of his own free will.

What can the doctor suggest?

To defeat hypochondria, you will need a comprehensive approach to the problem, including:

• drug treatment;
• psychotherapeutic methods;
• home treatment.

Drug treatment

Treat hypochondria medicines Only a doctor has the right. You cannot self-medicate or take medications without a prescription.

Only a specialist can determine how to treat a phobia with medications. He can prescribe sedatives to relieve excessive anxiety (Persen, Novo-Passit and others), and if depression occurs, prescribe the use of tranquilizers and antidepressants. But it should be remembered that in the fight against this disorder, only medications, for full recovery, not enough.

Psychotherapeutic methods

Fear of illnesses can be successfully treated with psychotherapy. When undergoing courses of psychotherapy, the doctor, during a conversation with the patient, will identify disturbing factors. After listening to all sorts of complaints from the sick person, the specialist, in addition to conducting special sessions, will offer the person self-hypnosis exercises, the purpose of which is to teach the patient: how to stop being afraid of becoming sick, how to overcome obsessive fears.

Note - psychotherapy copes with its task only if the patients sincerely desire to achieve complete cure from a phobia. If a person does not fight for his recovery, and this situation When everyone feels sorry for him, the patient is satisfied, then it is difficult to achieve results using this method, although it is possible if he is susceptible to hypnosis.

Home treatment

In addition to attending psychotherapy sessions, phobia treatment should be carried out at home. First of all, it is necessary to create an environment of understanding and support in the home. It is recommended to do the following:

• Make sure that the patient follows the doctor’s instructions: takes medications, exercises special exercises(meditation, self-hypnosis).
• Invite the hypochondriac to engage in some interesting activity or hobby.
• Stop ignoring his complaints, and even more so, stop mocking the sick person’s behavior.
• Since the fear of illness should not be reinforced by new information, a pathophobia should not watch medical programs. It is also recommended to remove all literature on this topic so that the hypochondriac cannot find topics for his destructive fantasies.
• Ask the sick person to do chores or chores more often to distract him from obsessive thoughts.

Thus, for a complete cure for hypochondria, without integrated approach treatment is indispensable. Mandatory assistance from a psychiatrist will be required, and in mild cases of the disorder, a psychologist. Also, for more effective disposal a person from pathophobia, the participation of loved ones will be required, from whom patience and support will be required.

– a mental disorder from the group of somatoform disorders. Manifested by constant concern about the state of one’s own health, persistent suspicions of the presence of a serious, incurable or fatal dangerous disease. The complaints of a patient with hypochondria are usually concentrated around one or two organs and systems, while the assessment of the severity of their condition and the degree of conviction in the presence of a particular disease is constantly changing. The diagnosis is established on the basis of complaints, anamnesis and data additional research. Treatment – ​​psychotherapy, drug therapy.

General information

Hypochondria (hypochondriacal disorder) is a mental disorder manifested by constant concern about one’s own health and persistent suspicions of the presence of serious illness. According to some researchers, patients with hypochondria make up 14% of total number patients seeking help in medical institutions general profile. Opinions about the prevalence of hypochondria among men and women vary.

Some experts argue that men are more likely to suffer from this disorder, others believe that the disease equally often affects representatives of the weaker and stronger sex. In men, hypochondria usually develops after 30 years, in women - after 40 years. In 25% of cases, despite adequate treatment, there is a deterioration in the condition or no improvement. In half of the patients the disorder becomes chronic course. Treatment of hypochondria is carried out by clinical psychologists, psychotherapists and psychiatrists.

Causes of hypochondria

Experts in the field mental health There are several causes of hypochondria. Endogenous factors that provoke the development of hypochondria include hereditarily determined character and personality traits: suspiciousness, excessive impressionability, anxiety, increased sensitivity. It is assumed that a specific interpretation of bodily signals is of some importance - a feature characteristic of all types of somatoform disorders. Patients with hypochondria and other similar disorders perceive normal neutral signals from various organs and systems as pathological (for example, as pain), however, what is the reason for this interpretation - with disorders of the brain or with changes in sensitivity peripheral nerves– remains unclear for now.

As exogenous factors factors that cause the development of hypochondria, psychologists consider parents’ excessive concern about the child’s well-being and severe or long-term illnesses as early age. A real or imaginary threat to one’s own health encourages a patient suffering from hypochondria to show increased attention to his bodily sensations, and the conviction of his own morbidity creates fertile ground to form a “patient position”. A person who is convinced of the weakness of his health involuntarily looks for illness in himself, and this can become the cause of hypochondriacal experiences.

Acute stress, chronic traumatic situations, depression and mental disorders neurotic level. Due to mental and emotional exhaustion mental vulnerability increases. The attention of a patient with hypochondria begins to randomly focus on various insignificant external and internal signals. Increased attention to the work of internal organs violates autonomy physiological functions, autonomic and somatic disorders occur, which the patient interprets as signs of a serious illness.

Experts believe that hypochondria is a pathologically acute instinct of self-preservation, one of the manifestations of the fear of death. At the same time, many psychologists consider hypochondria as “the inability to be sick,” which can manifest itself as both pathologically acute and pathologically weak reactions to disturbances in the functioning of the body. It has been established that patients with hypochondria, when identifying a really existing somatic disease, pay less attention to such a disease than to their hypochondriacal experiences, sometimes perceiving the real pathology as insignificant and insignificant.

Symptoms of hypochondria

Patients with hypochondria complain of pain and discomfort in the area of ​​various organs. Often they directly name the suspected somatic disease or in a roundabout way they try to draw the doctor’s attention to the possibility of developing a particular disease. At the same time, the degree of conviction in the presence of a certain disease varies from one appointment to another. Patients suffering from hypochondriasis can “jump” from one disease to another, more often within one organ or system (for example, at a previous appointment the patient was worried about stomach cancer, and is now inclined towards a diagnosis of peptic ulcer); less often, “migration” of painful diseases is observed sensations.

Most often, the fears of patients with hypochondria are associated with the condition of cardio-vascular system, genitourinary system, gastrointestinal tract and brain. Some patients suffering from hypochondria worry about the possibility of infectious diseases: HIV, hepatitis, etc. The story about unpleasant sensations can be vivid, emotional or, on the contrary, monotonous, emotionally inexpressive. The doctor’s attempts to dissuade the patient cause a pronounced negative reaction.

The complaints of patients suffering from hypochondria are unique and do not fit into the clinical picture a certain somatic disease. Patients with hypochondria often note the presence of paresthesia: a feeling of tingling, numbness or crawling. The second most common condition in hypochondria is psychalgia - pain not associated with the pathology of any organ. Senestalgia is possible - unusual, sometimes bizarre painful sensations: burning, twisting, shooting, everting, etc. Sometimes with hypochondria, senestopathy is observed - difficult to describe, but very unpleasant sensations that are difficult to associate with the activity of any organ. In addition, patients often complain of general malaise, a feeling of unclear but global somatic distress.

Hypochondria affects the character of patients and their relationships with others. Patients become selfish and completely concentrate on their own painful sensations and emotional experiences. They interpret the calm attitude of others towards their condition as a sign of callousness and callousness. There may be accusations against loved ones. Other interests become insignificant. Patients with hypochondria, sincerely convinced of the presence of a serious illness, spend all their energy on preserving the “remnants of their own health”, this causes the breakdown of close relationships, problems at work, a decrease in the number of social contacts, etc.

Types of hypochondria

Depending on the nature and degree of thinking disorders, psychiatry distinguishes three types of hypochondria: obsessive, overvalued and delusional. Obsessive hypochondria occurs during stress or is a consequence of excessive impressionability. It is more often detected in sensitive, emotional patients with a rich imagination. This form of hypochondria can develop after careless words from a doctor, another person telling about their illness, watching a program dedicated to a particular disease, etc.

In a mild transient form, hypochondriacal experiences often occur in medical university students (“third-year disease”), as well as in people who first came into contact with medicine due to their profession, life circumstances or ordinary curiosity (the famous “found all diseases in myself except childbed fever” from the story “Three in a Boat and a Dog” by Jerome K. Jerome). In most cases, such experiences are not clinically significant and do not require special treatment.

A distinctive feature of obsessive hypochondria is sudden attacks anxiety and fear for your health. The patient may be afraid of catching a cold when going outside in bad weather, or afraid of getting poisoned when ordering food at a restaurant. He understands that he can take specific measures to protect himself from the disease or significantly reduce the risk of its occurrence, but this does not help cope with fear. Criticism in this form of hypochondria is preserved, thoughts about a possible disease are hypothetical, but anxiety does not disappear, despite logical conclusions and attempts at self-conviction.

Overvalued hypochondria is a logically correct, understandable to other people, but extremely exaggerated concern for one’s health. The patient makes a lot of efforts, trying to achieve an ideal state of the body, and constantly takes measures to prevent a certain disease (for example, cancer). With overvalued hypochondria, attempts at self-medication and excessive use of “ traditional methods health improvement,” attempts to construct pseudoscientific theories, etc. Health becomes an absolute priority, other interests fade into the background, which can lead to tension in relationships with loved ones, deterioration of financial situation and even dismissal or destruction of the family.

Delusional hypochondria is a disorder based on pathological conclusions. Characteristic feature is paralogical thinking, the ability and need to “connect the unconnected,” for example: “the doctor looked at me askance - that means I have AIDS, but he is deliberately hiding it.” Delusional ideas in this form of hypochondria are often implausible and clearly fantastical, for example, “a crack has appeared in the wall, which means the wall is built from radioactive materials, and I am developing cancer.” A patient with hypochondria interprets any attempts to dissuade him as a deliberate deception, and refusal to carry out therapeutic measures perceives it as evidence of the hopelessness of the situation. Delusions and hallucinations are possible. This type of hypochondria is usually observed with panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.

Depending on the severity of hypochondria, treatment can be carried out either on an outpatient basis or in a hospital setting (environmental therapy). The main treatment for hypochondria is psychotherapy. Rational psychotherapy is used to correct erroneous beliefs. In the presence of family problems, acute psychotraumatic situations and chronic internal conflicts use Gestalt therapy, psychoanalytic therapy, family therapy and other techniques. In the process of treating hypochondria, it is important to ensure conditions under which the patient will constantly be in contact with one general practitioner, since access to a large number specialists creates a favorable environment for manipulation, increases the risk of unnecessary conservative treatment and unnecessary surgical interventions.

Because of high risk the development of dependence and possible fears of the presence of severe somatic pathology, which doctors allegedly hide from a patient with hypochondria, the use of medications for this pathology is limited. For concomitant depression and neurotic disorders, tranquilizers and antidepressants are prescribed. Antipsychotics are used for schizophrenia. If necessary, in the diagram drug therapy include beta blockers nootropic drugs, mood stabilizers and vegetative stabilizers. The prognosis depends on the severity of hypochondria and the presence of concomitant mental disorders.

Hypochondria, as a rule, develops in people suffering from suspiciousness, low resistance to stressful situations, prone to depression. Brain lesions play a role in birth injuries, oxygen starvation fetus during and childbirth, infections suffered by a pregnant mother or child in the first years of life. An important fact is the peculiarities of upbringing in the family, communication with parents, relatives and friends. The greatest risk of developing hypochondria is for people who are not accepted in the family and society, who feel inferior, and who have psychological complexes. The onset of the disease may coincide with an acute psychotraumatic situation, for example, when a close relative begins to get sick or dies, or a doctor says a careless phrase in front of a patient regarding his condition.

Symptoms of hypochondria

A patient suffering from hypochondria believes that he is ill with some pathology, or may soon become ill with it. He is confident that he knows what disease he has better than any doctor. But his opinion is constantly changing, and from time to time he experiences doubts. One of the most characteristic symptoms hypochondria – “pain” and other “signs” of diseases. The patient “feels” them, but examination usually reveals nothing. This further increases mistrust of doctors and makes the patient even more worried about their condition. Most often, with hypochondria, the heart, stomach, brain, and genitals “suffer.” Over time, they can actually develop disorders. They are the result of pathological impulses from the brain: this is called psychosomatics, when the human psyche affects the functioning of internal organs. There are known cases when patients with hypochondria and other forms of neuroses even “hosted” themselves. With hypochondria, the patient experiences fear for his condition. Obsessive fears may arise, such as fear of death or fear of infection. In connection with them, the patient performs “protective rituals” that help to “avoid” danger. For example, if there is a fear of contracting an infection, this may be frequent washing hands Sometimes patients demand that all their loved ones follow the “rituals” with them. Many patients with hypochondria have traits of hysteria - they like to “get sick” and demonstrate their bad feeling, to be the center of attention of others.

What can you do?

It is important to learn how to behave correctly with patients suffering from hypochondria. You can listen to such a person, sympathize, and cheer him up a little. You should not try to convince him that he is healthy - most likely, the hypochondriac will not be able to argue with you, and he will begin to distrust you. The best line of behavior is to try not to notice the “illness”, to treat the hypochondriac as if he were an ordinary person. Over time, this will work better than any arguments and attempts to convince. If the patient does not find support from those around him, then hypochondria will either go away completely or its manifestations will significantly decrease. Control the information the hypochondriac deals with. Don't let him watch TV programs or read books that will increase his fears.

What can a doctor do?

Neurologists and psychiatrists treat hypochondria. The main method of treatment is psychotherapy. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, during the session the doctor tries to either eliminate the experience completely or make it so that it has less meaning for the patient. Drug therapy is prescribed only in extreme cases. If a patient is prescribed pills and injections, this once again convinces him that something is wrong with his health.

You've probably noticed that older people spend most of their lives visiting doctors. They go to the hospital for the slightest reason. The cause is not always a real disease. Sometimes old people get attention this way. Hypochondria is common, but this does not mean that all older people are hypochondriacs. Just as it does not mean that disorder cannot overtake a young person.

Hypochondria - manifested increased attention person to health. Pimple, single case coughing is a reason to run to the doctor.

Hypochondriacs invent illnesses and symptoms: from colds to... fatal diseases. The individual feels real symptoms of diseases or feels a general malaise. In some cases, a person is fixated on prevention, examinations and testing. Other hypochondriacs go so far as prevention that they want to remove a healthy appendix.

The hypochondriac carries a large first aid kit with him. Some people with the disorder are convinced of bad heredity and wait for it to manifest itself.

Voluntary and constant visiting of doctors is a mandatory element of the disorder. Naturally, in most cases, doctors do not find diseases and redirect the patient to another hospital room or advise him to see a psychiatrist.

Symptoms

A hypochondriac’s favorite pastime is looking for diagnoses on the Internet. The peculiarity of the disorder is that the hypochondriac not only goes online with his symptoms, but also willingly takes the symptoms off the Internet. People with this disorder are suggestible.

For non-psychological doctors, hypochondriac is a problem. Sometimes months pass before the doctor realizes that the patient is deceiving him, making up symptoms, “Google” diagnoses and presenting them at face value.

Other features of a hypochondriac:

• depressive tendencies;
• increased excitability, emotionality;
• suggestibility;
• preoccupation and obsession;
• obsessions do not go away even after negative results analyses;
• hystericality, demonstrativeness;
• indecision;
• fear of getting sick, for example, contracting HIV in a public place;
• pessimistic thinking.

The patient's condition worsens under the influence of the media, advertising pharmaceuticals or watching social prevention videos. The hypochondriac is convinced that there are no absolutely healthy people. If he does not feel any symptoms, he concludes that he is in a very dangerous condition.

To its credit, many hypochondriacs are well versed in medicine. They are keen on studying encyclopedias and reading professional literature. But no matter how well a hypochondriac understands the disease, if he himself is not sick, then this does not make sense.

Health concerns most often concern:

• of cardio-vascular system;
• reproductive function;
• work of the gastrointestinal tract;
• brain activity.

Pay attention to the last point. A hypochondriac may come to a psychiatrist, but with a different diagnosis or symptoms. And demand medicine from the door, because the client supposedly already knows what’s wrong with him.

In such cases, the psychiatrist needs to be especially careful and attentive. In addition, the common risk for every doctor is a hypochondriac with dependence on medications.

In later stages, complications accompany the disorder. The person is convinced of the incurability of the disease, the “go-ahead” and cruelty of doctors. The risk of this condition is suicide. This stage is complemented by delusions and hallucinations.

Causes of hypochondria

As you might have guessed, hypochondria takes time. Free time is abundant for unemployed people, pensioners, and dependents. Hypochondriacal disorder– an option of activity, employment, self-realization. However, it also happens reverse development: hypochondria makes a person isolate from the world and deprives him of his ability to work.

The second reason for the disorder is attention. A person learns a specific way of attracting attention in childhood. Parents either ignored, blamed, or pitied the child and showed positive emotions exclusively during periods of the child’s illness.

The third option is that the parents quarreled and constantly fought, and only rallied when the child became ill.

Other causes of hypochondria:

• traumatic experience of illness;
• parental hypochondria;
• personal experience of observing another person’s illness;
• , arising from personal experience painful and lengthy treatment.

Thus, associated with the deterioration of the health of the individual himself or someone from the environment is another prerequisite for hypochondria.

Hypochondria is an obsession. In this case, the prerequisites are , . The patient wants to be perfectly healthy, for which he carries out all kinds of hardening procedures, takes biological supplements, advertised preventive medications, etc. Diets and cleansing procedures are another norm of life for a hypochondriac.

Rapid test for hypochondria

Pass quick test of 7 questions and determine your tendency towards hypochondria. Answer “yes” or “no” to the following questions:

1. Do you feel overwhelmed by the fear of unexpected death?
2. Do you often feel tired or unhappy?
3. Do you believe doctors?
4. Are you in good health?
5. More than twice a month do you think that you might become terminally ill?
6. Doesn't talking about illness bring you joy?
7. Do you read a lot of books on medicine, but have nothing to do with this field?

From 3 to 5 positive answers - you are prone to hypochondria. More than 5 - consult a psychologist; perhaps you are already suffering from hypochondria. Less than 3 “yes” – there is no reason to worry.

Treatment

Hypochondria belongs to the group. Only a psychiatrist can cure a hypochondriac. Until then, the patient will look for more and more new diseases and symptoms.

Individuals with the disorder argue with doctors and doubt the correctness and effectiveness of the prescribed treatment. This feature makes the relationship between psychotherapist and client difficult.

Treatment begins with an accurate diagnosis. To do this, the patient first undergoes full examination. Based on the results, the doctor excludes real problems with physical health client. Next, the hypochondriac meets with a psychiatrist.

The goal of therapy is to distract the patient. Medical posters and mirrors are removed from the room where the patient is. At the time of therapy, the doctor prohibits the client from watching TV, delving into medicine, reading professional literature, or using forums on the Internet.

In the case of hypochondria, hospitalization can worsen the situation. The attention of medical staff and obtaining official status as a patient is an achievement for a hypochondriac.

The psychotherapist uses several areas of therapy at once: individual, family, group, cognitive behavioral. The specialist achieves the patient’s favor and trust, selects methods according to the client’s conditions and reactions.

In advanced stages, the doctor prescribes medications. But their appointment and reception requires special attention. Medications- a treatment measure that is resorted to last.

If the patient is not hospitalized, then the patient's family plays a supporting role. Recommendations for the patient's relatives:

• Do not dissuade the patient and do not reassure him that he is healthy. But it’s better to ignore pity and advice. Listen to the person, make it clear that you share his experiences.
• Don't ignore or patronize.
• Use frustration to your advantage. Cold douses not only harden the body, but also give a psychological shake-up and allow a person to escape from an obsession.
• Communicate more with the patient, but not on medical topics. Walk with him, offer him hobby options.
• Organize regular, feasible physical training.

Hypochondria is an obsession. It is necessary to switch the patient’s attention to productive and social activity, work, hobby.

Even mild stages of hypochondria are difficult to treat. This is a complex and lengthy process. Therapy lasts at least six months. You cannot cope with hypochondria on your own. But it is difficult for one psychotherapist to help a patient. Treatment relies on collaboration between the physician and family.