hypochondria
/,haupou'kɔndriə/
Definition
- Noun:
- A mental condition characterized by chronic and abnormal anxiety about one's health: Hypochondria refers to a state in which a person is excessively and persistently worried about having a serious illness, despite having no or only mild physical symptoms. This anxiety is focused on the belief that normal bodily sensations or minor issues are signs of a severe disease.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- His constant visits to the doctor were a clear sign of his hypochondria.
- Living with hypochondria can be exhausting, as every minor ache is interpreted as a catastrophic symptom.
- The therapist specialized in treating anxiety disorders, including hypochondria.
Advanced Usage
- Clinical Context: In modern psychiatric classification (like the DSM-5), the term "hypochondria" has largely been replaced by "illness anxiety disorder" or "somatic symptom disorder," though "hypochondria" remains in common usage.
- While the term hypochondria is still understood, the official diagnosis is now illness anxiety disorder.
Variants and Related Words
- Hypochondriac (noun): A person who suffers from hypochondria.
- He was labeled a hypochondriac by his friends because he was always researching diseases online.
- Hypochondriac (adjective): Relating to or suffering from hypochondria.
- Her hypochondriac fears prevented her from enjoying daily activities.
- Hypochondriacal (adjective): Another adjective form meaning affected by hypochondria.
- He exhibited hypochondriacal behavior.
Synonyms
- Illness anxiety disorder: The contemporary clinical term.
- Health anxiety: A more general term describing excessive worry about health.
- Nosophobia: An irrational fear of contracting a specific disease.
Related Phrases
- To be a hypochondriac: An informal phrase describing someone who constantly worries about their health.
- Don't be such a hypochondriac; it's just a common cold.
Related Idioms
- "Worried sick": To be so anxious that it makes one feel ill, which captures the essence of hypochondria.
- She was worried sick over a tiny rash, convinced it was something serious.
Noun
-
chronic and abnormal anxiety about imaginary symptoms and ailments
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