Hypochondria is a killer anxiety disorder

[Retro]

The anxiety disorder of hypochondria begets real, physical illnesses and can lead to an early death, so should be taken seriously.

...there’s a difference between the occasional appointment with Dr Google and long-term, serious anxiety over health. This persistent fear of an undiagnosed illness may lead to endless doctor’s visits, or the opposite: total avoidance of medical care. What if we’re not taking hypochondria itself seriously enough?

That’s the takeaway from a recent Swedish study that found that people with what is now called illness anxiety disorder may die earlier than others. It’s a disturbing finding that makes the disorder sound like a self-fulfilling prophecy. As one anxious observer put it: “It’s not enough just to have worries – now you have to worry about your worries.”

‘This should not be ridiculed’: the link between hypochondria and early death

A new study suggests that illness anxiety can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Fortunately, there are effective treatments

www.theguardian.com

 

[Tiffany]

Anxiety is real. I'm always compassionate with people with those challenges. Thanks for sharing this article and bringing more awareness to hypochondria and the anxiety it causes.

 

[Geffers]

Any condition of the mind can become debilitating, I recall after a major op in 2000 I was on morphine during recovery, I was having some very realistic hallucinations, can still remember over 20 years later how realistic they were. My wife insisted I came off the morphine and things returned to normal.

Geffers

 

[Retro]

And I'll bet you've wished you could get back on it ever since for a repeat experience.

 

[Crims]

I found that for me anxiety is societal. I've noticed that my anxiety has always - with no exception - been solely dependent on completely extranneous things with zero reference to anything. I could be sat at home for 3 years and in the final 2 months it's better arbitrarily. In a way those without stress relief are at the mercy of the environment.