Do people with hypochondria live longer?

Here are some pivotal details of this recent study. Scrupulously controlling for as many variables as possible, this research team found that individuals who complained about their health were three times more likely to die in the next 30 years than those who perceived themselves as more able-bodied and hearty.

Are hypochondriacs more likely to get sick?

One might think that someone with health anxiety is able to diagnose their symptoms quickly and, therefore, get sick less often. But the irony is that people who have health anxiety are also more likely to develop serious illnesses.

What happens if hypochondria goes untreated?

If left untreated, this condition can lead to an obsessive preoccupation with the idea of being unwell and it can interfere with person’s daily life. Hypochondriasis is not about the presence or absence of illness, but the psychological reaction towards it.

How many people in the world are hypochondriacs?

Affecting approximately 2 to 5 percent of the population, hypochondria has no specific cause, but is often found in people who have had previous experience with a serious illness, especially in childhood.

Are intelligent people hypochondriacs?

The survey of Mensa’s highly intelligent members found that they were more likely to suffer from a range of serious disorders. The survey covered mood disorders (depression, dysthymia and bipolar), anxiety disorders (generalized, social and obsessive-compulsive), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism.

Can hypochondria be cured?

Hypochondria is hard to treat, but experts have made progress. Several studies show that using antidepressants, such as Prozac and Luvox, can help. Antianxiety medications are also used to treat the disorder. Barsky and other researchers say that cognitive-behavioral therapy also works.

Do doctors take hypochondriacs seriously?

However, physicians are trained to take their patients seriously, even ones that may be proving “difficult.” It is their priority to rule out any underlying health issue. If nothing presents itself, the next step is diagnosis of somatic symptom disorder or illness anxiety disorder, and then therapy.

Is hypochondria a disability?

Mental disorders are consistently underrecognized in general health care, leading to underestimation of its effects on related social security expenditures. According to medicolegal diagnoses for disability pension award, there are almost no awards of disability benefits for health anxiety or hypochondriasis.

Who is more likely to hypochondriacs?

Affecting approximately 2 to 5 percent of the population, hypochondria has no specific cause, but is often found in people who have had previous experience with a serious illness, especially in childhood. It affects men and women at equal rates; difficulty in expressing emotions may be a risk factor.

Do you suffer from hypochondria?

Many individuals who suffer from hypochondria are triggered by “health scares in the news” and searching symptoms online any time they feel ill, according to Centre for Clinical Intervention. (Ironically, WebMD wrote an interesting article about how the internet has made hypochondria—or cyberchondria—worse.)

How common is hypochondriasis in the US?

Hypochondriasis and Statistics. Many people within the United States focus on their health. When they become obsessive about maintaining their health, it potentially morphs into what we know as hypochondriasis. According to statistics, as much as 9 percent of the population has experienced hypochondriasis in some way.

Is there a link between OCD and hypochondriacs?

“This is debatable though, as those with OCD often have a family history of generalized anxiety disorder and those with hypochondria tend to have a family history of somatoform disorder.” Other theories of how hypochondria manifests point to depression, PTSD, or other anxiety disorders.

What is the treatment for hypochondria?

The treatment is broadly classified into lifestyle changes and professional help as far as curing hypochondria is concerned. Thus, to make it more comprehensive, we’re gonna discuss them exclusively. Firstly, the lifestyle changes.