Hypochondriasis is also known as health phobia. Hypochondriacs are individuals preoccupied with health matters and unrealistic fears of disease. They are certain that they have symptoms of physical illness or disability but their complaints fail to meet any specific symptom pattern of any illness and they often have great difficulty in explaining the symptoms of the ailment. Hypochondriasis usually occurs after the age of 30 and the individuals affected by this disorder are typically concerned about abnormal health issues that do not necessarily focus on any specific set of symptoms or on a wider range of them.

Hypochondriasis is one of the most frequently seen somatoform disorders. Hypochondriacs have multiple and strongly held complaints about the possibility of having a physical illness, even though no organic evidence of the illness can be found. Their complaints are not limited to any physically logical set of symptoms but are a representation of their preoccupation with health matters and impractical fears of disease. Although, these individuals frequently seek medical advice, their health related concerns are not decreased by their doctor’s reassurance and on the contrary they are often disappointed when no physical ailment is found.

Characteristics of Hypochondriasis:

Hypochondriacs usually complain of unusual sensations in various parts of the body such as the stomach, head, back, chest, genitals etc.

They are unable to give an accurate description of their symptoms. For instance, they may start by giving a description of experiencing pain in their stomach, which on further questioning may shift to other areas of the abdomen or to the back.

These individuals are constantly on the look out of new symptoms of disease and they are unable to describe the symptoms with precision.

Certain serious diseases such as elaborate infections, cancer, tuberculosis, coronary heart disease etc. are self-diagnosed by these individuals.

They are preoccupied with the functioning of body processes which when combined with their limited knowledge of medical science leads to some vague diagnosis.

Most hypochondriacs are enthusiastic readers of popular health and medical magazines and journals. They feel certain that they are suffering from every new disease or illness they read or hear about.

Hypochondriacs also consume large scale over the counter medications that are largely advertised by pharmaceutical brands that are capable of elimination vaguely described ailments such as tired circulation or irregularities.