Hypochondria and Panic/Anxiety Disorder

They Often Afflict Simultaneously

Hypochondriasis is defined by Webster's as "morbid concern about one's health especially when accompanied by delusions of physical disease". One labeled a hypochondriac can be described by peers as "always ailing" or sometimes as just plain annoying. The hypochondriac can also be a thorn in the side of his or her physician. But what causes this puzzling and complex disorder? And why are those afflicted unable to be pacified by a clean bill of health from their doctors?

For many suffering with anxiety and panic disorder, acute attacks are often triggered by one or more physical symptoms that are interpreted as life-threatening. As research has discovered that the delivery of various stimulants to cells in the body via the bloodstream prompts one to react as if in physical danger, thus prompting a panic attack, it's a similar misfire that deprives one the ability to accurately interpret the body's own signals. 

Anxiety literally feels bad. There are physiological changes that occur affecting the functions of many different parts of the body. These changes are often mistaken for frightening health conditions and ailments. So the fear feeds the misinterpretation, and the misinterpretation can spark fear. This can be an anguished cycle to repeat, with the added hardship of a lack of sympathy from others.

With the abundance of medical information available to the general public via the internet through websites like WebMD.com, hypochondria can be created and fed rather easily. This is a time when Americans are armed with knowledge of what is good and bad for their health like never before, and while this is meant to equip people with the tools to take charge of their health and live better, it often becomes an avenue for distraction and obsession. This is because it's not a far jump from learning which symptoms indicate a dangerous condition to actually feeling them. The mind is able to trick the body, especially the mind of someone constantly expecting harm.