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Have you ever found yourself experiencing health symptoms only to find no presence of any health condition? You may have doubted yourself or perhaps dealt with doubts about your disease with your family members. This condition in which you experience too many symptoms without any apparent reason is hypochondriasis. This week in our mental health series, Dr Nimesh Desai, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist and Former Director, IHBAS, Delhi, explains hypochondriasis, its causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
The health of your mind and body is closely connected, hence it is important to not view them as two entities but one, said Dr Desai.
What Is Hypochondriasis?
Hypochondriasis is a condition in which a person experiences pain in different parts of the body over time, yet no cause is diagnosed in medical examinations. It is also known as somatisation disorder or somatoform pain disorder. In this condition, the perceived problems are real, but their origin lies in the mind.
Dr Desai quotes an example from Hrishiksh Mukherjee's movie Anand. Asit Sen, a character from the movie, experiences shifting pain, mirroring a common aspect of hypochondriasis where physical symptoms lack a tangible medical cause.
According to the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine conducted on the general population, the prevalence of hypochondriasis ranges from 0.02-7%, whereas in primary care studies, it ranges from 0.8-8.5%.
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Why And How Is It Diagnosed?
"Previously, it was believed that the cause of this disorder was purely psychological. However, now it is believed that the connection of this order could be in the brain and the nervous system. In some cases, it is assumed that the person experiences physical symptoms of pain more intensely. The multifaceted nature of hypochondriasis makes it a challenging condition to manage effectively", highlighted Dr Desai.
There is no underlying disease in the case of hypochondriasis and no cause is found in the investigation. Many times, people believe that the person is lying or exaggerating about the pain. However, we need to understand that hypochondriasis is a condition affecting the brain, mind, and mental health.
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Treatment of Hypochondriasis
"There are many limitations in the treatment of hypochondriasis, making it a challenging condition to address. Many antidepressants and painkiller medications are used, along with a few counselling and psychotherapy approaches, in the treatment", informed Dr Desai.
Role of Family In Hypochondriasis
Usually, the patients get negative reactions from the family. It is necessary that the family understands the patient and provides empathy and non-judgmental acceptance. Although the symptoms exhibited by patients with somatic pain disorder are real, however, the medical and physical basis cannot be derived.
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by a registered healthcare professional and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your expert if you notice any symptoms to get the necessary treatment.]