Hypochondria

__**HYPOCHONDRIA**__

__**Hypochondria**__ is a belief that physical symptoms are signs of a serious illness, even though there is no medical evidence to prove that something is actually wrong. Often sufferers of this disease have experiences physical or sexual abuse. Often, they have other mental disorders as well.

**__Symptoms__** include the inability to handle or maintain their fears of illness, often seek out reassurance from friends and family member but the relief is short lived and quickly replaces with another concern of illness, degree of symptoms fluctuate, those who suffer often feel resentment towards the idea that they suffer from such an illness.

 **__Treatments-__** Counseling is the most helpful and useful available for those suffering, especially pyschotherapy. Psychotherapy aims to increase an individual's perception of their own well-being. Often, counseling may include exposure therapy in which you are forced to become more comfortable with the sensations that overcome you. Becoming educated about the disease one is affected by not only helps them to cope with it, but it also assists the friends and family in doing all that they can to help their loved one.

__**Prognosis-**__ Hypochondria is a chronic disorder which means that it is long-term unless treatment is done to alter mood and anxiety problems.

**__What to do....__** A close relationship with your physician in which you feel comfortable voicing your concerns is highly recommended, cognitive therapy with a therapist, psychiatrist, or psychologist will also be beneficial to those suffering from this illness, maintaining a journal that notes what instigates the anxiety one has is suggested also. Exercise may also boost the confidence you have in your health and help to alleviate some of the fears one may have.

__Works cited__

"Hypochondria - PubMed Health." Web. 19 Sept. 2011. .

"Hypochondriasis." //Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia//. Web. 19 Sept. 2011. .  //The Hypochondriac.com//. Web. 19 Sept. 2011. .  "Hypochondria - Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment of Hypochondria - NY Times Health Information." //Health News - The New York Times//. Web. 19 Sept. 2011. <http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/hypochondria/overview.html>. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Hypochondria: Symptoms - MayoClinic.com." //Mayo Clinic//. Web. 19 Sept. 2011. <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypochondria/DS00841/DSECTION=symptoms>.