Hypochondria - Causes, symptoms and treatment. MF.

The hypochondria is translated from Greek as a hypochondrium. The ancient Greeks believed that in this area is the hearth of human ailments. And we associate hypochondria with melancholy, melancholy, despondency. The modern medical meaning of this term is closer to the ancient Greek. Hypochondria refers to the unreasonable anxiety of a person about his health, and he is often haunted by the thought of having a disease, often severe, incurable. This is not an independent disease, but a symptom of many mental disorders.

Causes of hypochondria

The causes of hypochondria are not exactly defined. The great physiologist I.P.Pavlov believed that hypochondria is the result of impaired functioning of the cerebral cortex. Outstanding Russian psychiatrist V.A.Gilyarovsky believed that this state arises as a result of the perception of the central nervous system by signals from internal organs that are normally suppressed and do not reach human consciousness.

Symptoms of hypochondria

In the modern classification of mental illnesses there is the concept of compulsive hypochondria. Its main manifestations are anxious fears for health, patients constantly analyze the processes taking place in the body, "listen to themselves".At the same time, they realize the excessiveness of their experiences, but they can not get rid of depressing obsessive thoughts. Such a state can develop when viewing medical advertising, for medical students beginning to study the symptoms of diseases( the so-called "second-rate illness"), after a rash statement of the doctor. But in addition to external provoking factors, the development of compulsive hypochondria is promoted by an anxious-hypochondriacal type of personality - such people are called

by psychostenics .

It happens that a person reacts sharply to the slightest physical discomfort or lack. He begins to make incredible efforts to achieve the ideal( in his opinion) state of health. Then we are talking about the of the overvalued hypochondria .Such people adhere to a special diet, which they often develop themselves, or come up with a set of physical exercises in order to improve their health. They do not consider themselves to be sick, it happens that patients with supervalued hypochondria initiate lawsuits against doctors if they believe that specialists underestimate the severity of their condition or refuse to treat them. A similar picture can be observed in the onset of schizophrenia, or in the aggravation of psychopathy.

Delirious hypochondria is a belief in the presence of a serious incurable disease( for example: cancer, AIDS).At the same time, any attempts by a doctor to dissuade a patient are interpreted as fraud, and refusal to perform an operation or appointment of treatment convinces a patient with delusional hypochondria of the hopelessness of the condition( "doctors refused", "medicine is powerless").Often, with this variant of hypochondria, there are hallucinations, nonsense. This is the most severe degree of this disorder, usually occurs in schizophrenia, sometimes with deep depression.

Examination of a patient with a hypochondria

If a person has any complaints, you should first contact the doctor( most sensible, the therapist).Only a specialist can say whether there are grounds for concern about bodily health, or it is a syndrome of hypochondria. To clarify the patient's condition, the doctor will prescribe a blood test, urine, electrocardiogram. These simple tests will show the general state of the body. If necessary, ultrasound or X-ray examinations, consultations of various specialists may be prescribed to exclude certain diseases. If there is no pathology on the part of internal organs, and the patient continues to worry about the state of health, it is advisable to go to a psychiatrist or a psychotherapist. This doctor will get acquainted with the results of a survey of the polyclinic, possibly send the patient to a consultation with a psychologist to determine personal characteristics.

Do not postpone visiting a doctor if the thought of a serious illness or worry about health for no apparent reason lasts a few days. First, it is necessary to really make sure that a person is healthy physically. Secondly, hypochondria, left unattended, can lead to sad consequences. So, hypochondria in combination with depression is a rather dangerous condition. Such a patient, who has decided that he is terminally ill, for example, with an oncological disease, can take his life with him, so as not to be a burden to relatives or not to suffer torments. With hypochondriac symptoms, serious illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression can begin, and here it is very important not to waste time: the earlier treatment is started, the better the prognosis for the patient.

Treatment of hypochondria

Treatment of hypochondria is aimed at correcting the underlying disease.

If this neurotic disorder or psychopathy - apply tranquilizers( phenazepam, mesapam, grandaxin and others), mild antipsychotics( sonapax, seroquel, neuleptil).If it is a question of depression, antidepressants( amitriptyline, fevarin, fluoxetine and others) are used. More powerful neuroleptics are used in schizophrenia( haloperidol, rispolept, chloroprotexene).Naturally, pick up the drug should a doctor-psychiatrist.

Treatment with folk remedies is unlikely to have a tangible effect. Hypochondria is a fairly stable condition and even with the use of modern medicines it can not be overcome immediately. But if the patient insists, the doctor will approve the application of sedative herbal dues( with valerian, melissa, hops) or herbal preparations with fortifying properties( for example, having a rosehip, aloe) as an addition to the basic treatment. Of course, the hypochondriac should not choose their own treatment - even if the patient has a proper education. After all, he assesses his condition inadequately!

Patients with hypochondria need understanding and help from relatives and friends. Their support, as well as cooperation with a doctor, will lead to good results in treatment.

Doctor psychiatrist Bochkareva OS