Treatment of hypochondria

Antidepressants

Antidepressants and other medications are sometimes used to treat beliefs and attitudes characteristic to hypochondriacs. The problem is that there is not a lot of evidence to support this practice because not all hypochondriacs suffer from depression. 

Most studies of psychosocial approaches to treating hypochondria are limited by few subjects, lack of control groups, and the absence of long-term follow-up.

Cognitive-behavioral treatment

There were two large, rigorous, randomized controlled studies of cognitive behavior therapy that found it to be effective in treating hypochondria.

In this form of therapy, the patients are assisted in restructuring their beliefs and expectations about health and illness, correcting their misunderstandings about proper medical care, learning how to distract themselves from thinking about their symptoms, and changing their behaviors concerning their symptoms and perceived illness.

All the patients enrolled in the study were randomly assigned to six sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy and a consultation letter to the patient's primary care physician. Each session was devoted to one of five factors that cause patients to magnify physical symptoms and think they are a sign of serious illness:

• attention and bodily hyper-vigilance,
• beliefs about the cause of symptoms,
• circumstances and context,
• illness and sick role behaviors,
• mood

The patient is not healed when he realizes that he has health anxiety but it is an important first step.

Hypnosis

Hypnosis can effectively help hypochondriacs regain control over thoughts and keep physical symptoms in perspective. Overcoming hypochondria with hypnosis will free a person from the enormous burden of worry and stress associated with symptoms by helping a person to realize that not every ache or pain is a sign of some impending demise.
Negative concerns

Unfortunately, hypnosis has long been portrayed in a negative light by television, films, and other media. Most people have also been led to believe that, while under hypnosis, the subject is unconscious and unaware of their surroundings. These and other misconceptions could not be further from the truth - hypnosis is simply a state of deep relaxation. 

Hypnosis can help you:

• Build self esteem
• Change your eating habits
• Put an end to sleep problems
• Stop smoking
• Manage stress more effectively
• Conquer phobias
• Improve athletic performance

There is not one case on record of anyone being harmed because of, or through, hypnosis. Most people experience a very pleasant energy increase after the session.

Possible complications

There are some complications which could be related to hypochondria. They are:

• There is a possibility that a real disease may be overlooked in people with hypochondria because their previous complaints were unrealistic.
• Complications may result from invasive testing.
• In some cases, it is evidenced that dependence on pain relievers or sedatives may develop.

Tips for hypochondriacs

People who suffer from hypochondria may benefit from one or more of the following exercises:

• Keeping a journal describing what led to the anxiety attacks or panic
• Talking with friends or family members, and taking a different perspective on the symptoms
• Tracking the triggering factors of anxiety, and avoiding them (e.g. self-diagnosis, reading about symptoms)
• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and positive outlook