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OCD Center of L.A.
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Hypochondria, also called Hypochondriasis or "health anxiety", is best described as the obsessive, irrational fear of having a serious medical condition. Hypochondria is based on an individual's misinterpretation of symptoms, and exists despite medical reassurance that the individual does not have a disease or illness. Hypochondria goes beyond normal concerns with health, and can seriously impact academic and professional functioning, as well as interpersonal relationships.
Some examples of obsessions seen in Hypochondria include:
Some example of compulsions seen in Hypochondria include:
It is estimated that 4-6% of the population has clinically significant hypochondria. Furthermore, recent research suggests that up to 10% of all visits to primary care physicians may be due to hypochondriacal fears. As demonstrated above, Hypochondria has numerous obsessive-compulsive features that are quite similar to those of OCD. One essential diffence between the two conditions is that those with OCD often fear getting a disease, while those with hypochondria fear already having a disease. Perhaps the most significant similarity linking OCD and Hypochondria is the cyclical process by which the symptoms of both increase. To learn more about this process, click here.
Because of these many similarities, the same Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques that are so effective in treating OCD are also employed in the treatment of Hypochondria. The primary technique used in treating both OCD and Hypochondria is a type of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy called "Exposure and Response Prevention" (ERP). For more information on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for the treatment of Hypochondria, click here.
In addition to individual therapy for Hypochondria, the OCD Center of Los Angeles also offers five weekly, low-fee, therapy/support groups for people with OCD, Hypochondria, and related conditions. These groups are lead by our staff therapists, and use the same treatment protocol as our individual Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy program. For more information on these groups, click here.
If you are experiencing any of the above Hypochondria symptoms, and would like to discuss individual or group therapy for the treatment of Hypochondria at the OCD Center of Los Angeles, you can call us at (310) 335-5443, or click here to email us. If you live outside Southern California, we recommend that you contact a licensed Cognitive-Behavioral therapist in your local area.
HYPOCHONDRIA - SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT
Please note that the above is not meant to replace a complete and thorough evaluation by a licensed cognitive-behavioral therapist or other qualified mental health professional. Some individuals with Hypochondria may benefit from medication, and may therefore require a psychiatric evaluation. Likewise, a psychiatric assessment may be necessary to differentiate between Hypochondria and other psychological conditions. If a psychiatric evaluation is indicated, the OCD Center of Los Angeles can refer you to a qualified psychiatrist in our area. Furthermore, it is imperative to make the distinction between Hypochondria and other medical conditions. For this reason, a medical examination may be necessary.
