Hypochondria, also known as hypochondriasis, is a chronic mental illness characterized by the fear of having a severe or fatal disease that has not been confirmed through an examination by a physician. The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic Statistical Manual classifies hypochrondria as a psychosomatic disorder, or a psychological disorder that appears to cause physical symptoms. MayoClinic.com indicates that some psychologists believe that hypochondria is a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Because hypochondria is believed to be caused by some type of anxiety, treatment is focused on examining the validity of symptoms and the patient’s thoughts about the condition.
Step 1
Visit a licensed therapist for psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is the primary method of treatment for hypochondria. Psychotherapy typically involves regular sessions with a therapist in which you discuss issues you have been experiencing or the effects the condition is having on your daily functioning. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common type of psychotherapy used to treat hypochondria. The goal of CBT is to identify irrational or false beliefs and help you to understand how those thoughts affect your behavior, challenge these thoughts and replace them with healthy thoughts and behaviors.
Step 2
Work with a therapist to include exposure therapy in the treatment plan. Exposure therapy gradually exposes you to the source of your anxiety. This exposure is performed in a controlled, safe manner to prevent causing trauma. For example, you may believe that your headache is caused by a cancerous brain tumor you developed from talking too much on your cell phone. During exposure therapy, the therapist will encourage you to use you cell phone, ask you to obtain a CAT scan to rule out a brain tumor and help you to recognize that some of your beliefs about your medical condition are unfounded.
Step 3
Obtain a prescription for a medication used to treat hypochondria. Tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are two commonly prescribed medications for hypochondria. These medications work to relieve anxiety, fears and the occurrence of somatic, or physical, symptoms.
Step 4
Commit to treatment. It is vitally important to stick to your treatment plan by attending all scheduled therapy sessions and taking prescribed medications.
