Have you ever had Hypochondria?

Question

How did you get over it? Do you think Hypochondria is a common thought disorder?

Answer 1

I am a hypochondriac........ but it did not start that way. I was very depressed through out my childhood and then when I turned 22 the depression turned into anxiety and then the anxiety and constant worry (not just about myself and my health but about my family too) ended up giving me chest pains, numbness in my fingers, heart palpatations, hot flashes- you name it, I experienced it...... so after going to many dr.s I finally went to a psych and got on effexor. It works wonders for me. If I got a pain in my leg instead of having a panic attack and thinking that it was a blood clot I would just dismiss it like a normal person does. I think hypochondria comes from either anxiety, stress, or depression all of which give you physical symptoms that are then misinterpreted as a serious illness. It could be a phase or it could be your brain chemistry. It may not be curable but it is 100% treatable!

Answer 2

I did for a while, sort of, when I went away from home the first time and went to college in another state.

I made a big deal out of minor physical problems, acting like they were much worse than they really were. When I put things into perspective, I realize that I was a very sad kid who didn't really feel very good about anything; I never felt like I was good at anything. I got a music scholarship to that college, but when I got there; a lot of the other students were so much better than me that my new found self esteem went away quickly, and I started to put on the "sick act." I wasn't consciously aware of that at the time, though.

Other people in my family tended to be somewhat preoccupied with illnesses, some of them seemed to love to go to doctors.

I quick acting like that after I went back to my home state.

I later got diagnosed with Major Depression, so I guess it was a part of my depression. Maybe I learned it by observing other members of my family, or maybe it's a hereditary trait.

Answer 3

I've never gotten over it. One time my head itched so bad I thought I had lice and bought lice poison from the store and it made my head itch more and went to local hosital and the doctor said I did not have them. I think I could have an ulcer, that I could have an enlarged prostate, could be pre-diabetic. I've feared I had worms many times. One time I fell from my bicycle and couldn't move my arms for three days. Almost went to a hospital for X-Rays but it healed right up, just a sprain. Had back pain so severe I went to the hospital but nothing they did or gave me got rid of the pain and I wanted a smoke so bad I signed out and went home. Recently I saw black marks on my lips and thought I had lip cancer, but then it cleared up so I didn't anymore.

No, I think it is in less than 1% or 2% of the population.

Answer 4

I have always been a hypocondriac and continue to be one to this day. This is usually associated with other disoders such as OCD or panic attacks. The beat way to get over it if you want is to get therapy.