Hypochondria

__ HYPOCHONDRIA __ __﻿__ **__//Hypochondria//__ is a condition in which you believe that physical symptoms are signs of a serious illness, even though there is no medical evidence to support it.**

__ Causes __ __ Symptoms __
 * 1) People with this condition are overly focused on their physical health and have an unrealistic fear of dying of a serious death.
 * 2) The way people with this condition think about their physical symptoms can make them more susceptible to have this condition.
 * 3) As they focus on worrying about their physical sensations, a cycle of symptoms and worry sets in, which can be very difficult to stop.
 * 4) It is very important to understand that people with hypochondria do not purposely create these symptoms. They are simply unable to control their symptoms.
 * Having a long-term fear or anxiety about having a serious disease or health condition
 * Worrying that minor symptoms or bodily sensations mean that you have a serious illness
 * Seeing doctors frequently or having involved medical exams such as MRI, exploratory surgery, or echocardiograms
 * Continuously talking about your suspected disease with family members and friends
 * Frequently checking your vital signs
 * Think you have a disease after hearing about it or reading about it

__ Most at Risk __
 * If you were sick as a child with a prolonged illness, or had a sick family member
 * If there is a family history of Hypochondria
 * If you had a recent stressful event happen

__ Signs and Tests __
 * You can have physical examinations to rule out the illness
 * You can have psychiatric evaluation to rule of the other related disorders

__ Treatment __
 * It is important that you have a good relationship with your health care provider because you want to avoid having too many tests and procedures done.
 * The doctor should tell you that you do not have a disease, but continued medical follow-ups should help control the symptoms.
 * People suffering from hypochondria feel very distressed, so it is important not to deny or challenge their symptoms.

__ General Public Perception __ People just think that they are faking the symptoms and illness

__ Other Facts __ //** "To my knowledge, there have been no studies documenting a genetic component to hypochondriasis. This does not mean that there IS no genetic portion to the cause of the disorder, but rather that adequate research has not been done." **// __ Linked To __ Anxiety Depression Panic Disorders Schizophrenia
 * ﻿A doctor from the National Human Genome Research Institute said;
 * Researchers estimate that only 3 - 14% of all medical patients have hypochondria

__ Sources __
 * Dawson, Dawn P., ed. 4th ed. Vol. 3. California: Salem, 2008. Print. Magill's Medical Guide.


 * Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Hypochondria: Symptoms - MayoClinic.com." //Mayo Clinic//. Web. 16 Sept. 2011. [].


 * Http://www.euronet.nl/~jonkr/, Ron Jonk-. "Hypochondriasis."// University of Maryland Medical Center | Home//. Web. 19 Sept. 2011. [].


 * "Hypochondria - PubMed Health." Web. 15 Sept. 2011. <[].>


 * //Genome.gov | National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) - Homepage//. Web. 19 Sept. 2011. [].


 * "Hypochondriasis - Definition of Hypochondriasis in the Medical Dictionary - by the Free Online Medical Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia." //Medical Dictionary//. Web. 19 Sept. 2011. [].


 * //__Picture;__//**
 * Parisi, Mark. //2008_01_01//. 2008. Photograph. Offthemark.

By; Kyristen and Steph