Hypochondriasis: An Intense Health Anxiety When You Aren't Ill

Friday, October 03, 2003

ROCHESTER, Minn. — You're calling the doctor — again — positive that today's abdominal pain and cramping are signs of a serious illness. Once again, after a thorough check, the doctor reassures you that spicy food was probably the culprit.

What you may have is hypochondriasis, an intense anxiety about your health. The October issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource says that hypochondriasis can begin at any age, but is most common in early adulthood. Symptoms often appear during times of increased stress, after recovering from a serious illness, hearing of a friend or family member's illness, or experiencing the death of a close friend or relative.

Treatment generally focuses on helping to correct mistaken assumptions about your health. The best treatment for health anxiety is usually cognitive behavioral therapy, a specific type of psychotherapy that helps you to identify unhealthy negative beliefs and behaviors and replace them with healthy, productive ones. It's based on the idea that your own thoughts — not other people or situations — determine how you feel and behave. For some people, medications to treat anxiety and depression also may be needed.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Carol Lammers
507-284-5005 (days)
507-284-2511(evenings)
email: newsbureau@mayo.edu

Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Erik Kaldor
904-953-2299

Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Anne Tewksbury
480-301-4368

Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource is published monthly to help women enjoy healthier, more productive lives. Revenue from subscriptions is used to support medical research at Mayo Clinic. To subscribe, please call 800-876-8633, extension 9PK1.

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