You have a scratchy throat. You start searching the web for the cause of your symptom, and you find everything from the common cold, to a more serious illness such as throat cancer. You then start to panic, thinking you’re dying when you’re really not. While many people experience these thoughts, and jokingly call themselves hypochondriacs, there are many people, who suffer from this disease on a daily basis. Hypochondria is an overwhelming fear that you have a serious medical condition, even though medical professionals can find no evidence of illness. It is from the Greek hypokhondria, from hypo- “under” + khondros “cartilage” (of the breastbone). Through years of research, medical providers are starting to understand how to help people treat …show more content…
With the public demanding more personal, compassionate treatment, medicine, a consumer-driven industry, is beginning to listen” (Cantor). Hypochondria is a long-term condition, that may last for years. For many people, symptoms can recur, with a small percentage of people recovering completely. If you know someone who is suffering from hypochondria, there are some do’s and don’ts you should follow. “You don’t want to tell the person to snap out of it, get psychological help, stop there’s nothing wrong with you, and don’t worry it’s just stress”. Also your overall tone is important. “Try to be warm, empathic, and nonjudgmental. Try to gently link the person’s symptoms to either stress or conflict” (Cantor, pg. 221). While you cannot force someone to seek help for a mental health problem, you offer words of encouragement and support. If they decide on their own to seek professional help, help them find a qualified doctor or mental health professional, and even go with them to their appointments.
There’s no way to prevent hypochondria, however addressing it early can reduce it’s impact on your life. As medical research continues to evolve, there’s more information and treatment options readily available for people, suffering with this lifelong condition. If left untreated, hypochondria can be disruptive to your life, throwing you off your normal daily routine. Get help as soon as possible if concerns about your health are getting worse, are making you unhappy or are causing