HYPOCHONDRY Meaning and
Definition
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Hypochondry, also known as hypochondria or illness anxiety disorder, is a mental health condition characterized by excessive and persistent worry about having a serious medical illness, despite having little or no medical evidence to support the belief. Individuals suffering from hypochondry often misinterpret normal bodily sensations as signs of a severe illness and tend to engage in excessive checking behaviors or seeking medical reassurance.
The key feature of hypochondry is the presence of excessive health-related worries for at least six months that cause significant distress and impairment in daily functioning. The preoccupation with illness may manifest in various ways, such as persistent fears of having a specific disease, excessive concern about potential symptoms, or an obsession with monitoring bodily functions.
People with hypochondry may exhibit behaviors like frequent doctor visits, seeking unnecessary medical tests or investigations, or repeatedly consulting various healthcare professionals in an attempt to alleviate their fears. These behaviors can contribute to a vicious cycle of fear and anxiety, reinforcing the belief of having a severe medical condition.
Hypochondry is classified as a somatic symptom disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). It can be caused by various factors, including genetic predispositions, childhood experiences, or traumatic events. Treatment for hypochondry often involves a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication to address the excessive worry, manage anxiety, and improve overall quality of life.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HYPOCHONDRY
- gypochondry
- bypochondry
- nypochondry
- jypochondry
- uypochondry
- yypochondry
- htpochondry
- hgpochondry
- hhpochondry
- hupochondry
- h7pochondry
- h6pochondry
- hyoochondry
- hylochondry
- hy-ochondry
- hy0ochondry
- hypichondry
- hypkchondry
- hyplchondry
Etymology of HYPOCHONDRY
The word "hypochondry" stems from the combination of two Greek roots: "hypo" meaning "under", "below", or "beneath", and "chondros" meaning "cartilage" or "rib".
In Greek medicine, it was believed that the area beneath the ribs, known as the "hypochondrium", was connected to the liver and spleen. As a result, any ailment or disorder affecting this region was associated with an imbalance or dysfunction of these organs.
During the Middle Ages, the term "hypochondria" began to be used to describe a condition in which a person experienced chronic physical symptoms without any apparent cause. These symptoms were often attributed to an excess of black bile or melancholy, one of the four humors or bodily fluids according to ancient Greek medicine.
Similar spelling words for HYPOCHONDRY
