What is a hypochondriacal syndrome

The hypochondriacal syndrome was mentioned by Hippocrates. And he received the name thanks to the ancient Roman physician K. Galen, who believed that the causes of the morbid state are hidden in the hypochondrio region. So what is hypochondria?

Is hypochondria an independent disease?

Since the beginning of the 19th century, psychiatrists in France have come to the conclusion that astheno-hypochondriac syndrome is not a disease of organs, but a mental disorder. In addition, since the beginning of the 20th century, domestic doctors have reasonably established that this disorder manifests itself more often against the background of neuroses: hysteria and neurasthenia, or as a component of the obsessive-compulsive disorder. Our doctors believed that hypochondria is a syndrome, not an independent disease. At a time when, for example, German and English authors defined the hypochondria as a neurosis, that is, a separate unit.

Clinical manifestations of the syndrome

Hypochondriacal syndrome is a painful focus on one's self-health. Typically, the dominant manifestation of this syndrome is the fear of being a carrier of a disease and the resulting constant anxious listening to their feelings.

In this case, the patient can easily have painful symptoms depending on the disease, which he ascribes to himself. And the fact that doctors do not detect pathologies in the organs, the patient perceives as their dishonesty.

Why does the hypochondriac syndrome occur?

The constant fear for one's health arises, as a rule, in people with a special character trait. These are anxious-hypochondriac personalities or asthenic, who are very worried about their health. Often in this state of affairs, the upbringing is guilty: the child is taught excessive attention to his state of health, which can also lead to hypochondria.

The reason for its occurrence may be a story about someone's illness or death, their own transferred disease or vegetative disorders, such as sweating, weakness, tachycardia, etc. All these experiences in people prone to hypochondria naturally cause constituent emotions of fear: dry mouth, nausea, indigestion, sleep disturbances. And it, as a rule, becomes an occasion for the next hypochondriac processing.

Relationship between depressive state and hypochondria

If a person knows that he is seriously ill, he, as a rule, has a feeling of longing. And the arisen physiognomy, this feeling revives the notion that the disease is already present. Therefore, for a depressive state, hypochondriacal ideas are also characteristic, as well as thoughts of one's own uselessness, guilt, etc.

Hypochondriacal syndrome: treatment

In a short time the hypochondria is not cured. Therefore, it is very important to learn to live with it. To do this, you must admit to yourself that you are a hypochondriac. Do not be ashamed of this! It's not crazy. You are a normal person, just fear has settled in you. They can and should be managed:

• Do not scold yourself for being a hypochondriac;
• Do not let troubling thoughts capture you completely. This, of course, is not easy, but you can think up for yourself some ways to switch. And, most importantly, strictly adhere to this rule;
• As soon as you succeed, do not forget to praise yourself!

The hypochondriacal syndrome is well suited to psychotherapeutic effects. The doctor-psychotherapist with the help of hypnosis, auto-training, and sometimes medical treatment will help you get rid of the constant anxieties and fears that are poisoning your life. Good luck to you!