[CrazyLo]

Am I a hypochondria if I'm afraid that I'm a hypochondriac?

My therapist told me that I need to stop researching mental illnesses and diseases online all of the time because, while I tend to know a lot about everything because of this, it makes me paranoid that I have every diagnosis in existence. It has been getting worse lately, too. I have been having some mild paranoia because of my schizoaffective...and she says the over-concern about my body and brain falls under the paranoia category. But I'm just wondering, can you even be a hypochondriac if you already are thinking that you are one, the way you think you have everything else? Or is this a question with a DUH answer? lol

I'm linking to an article here on the Psych Central site about hypochondria, or Somatic Symptom Disorder.

If you do a web search, there are several quizzes about whether or not you're a hypochondriac.

I do think it's true that the internet makes it so easy for us to research symptoms and diseases that we can spend more time thinking about these than is probably good for us sometimes.

I view hypochondria as a continuum - you might be a little bit that way or you might be really bad. I think you have to look at how your researching symptoms is affecting your life.

You do seem to be saying that you think maybe this behavior is causing you some problems.

I have several chronic health conditions, so I deal with the problem myself of how much information is enough. I like to think that if I'm learning more about something that I've actually been diagnosed with, that the research is good. I've found, though, that even that can get out of hand.

I usually tend to research in bursts then I'll get bored with it and not do it for awhile.

I think that asking yourself "do I have those symptoms" is completely normal if we learn about a new disease or medical condition. Medical students do it.

If the learning is causing you problems, though, then it may be better to give up that research subject for a non-health one if you just like to research.

But the answer to the question in the first sentence of your post is "no".

[AnxietyMaster]

Hello!

I research my symptoms like crazy online aswell. I enjoy research, so this enforces this habit of mine.

Sometimes if I read xyz thing, I automatically feel like xyz thing is wrong.

I don't think you are a hypochondriac, but I do think you are concerned about your health as any good patient should be.

Sometimes I get myself so worked up over random things that happen, I have chest pains and think I am having a heart attack. While this is good, because I have learned to check pulse because of this, it isn't so great for me.

I have learned something that helps me, is realizing the severity of symptoms for it to be diagnosed. You wouldn't be diagnosed with OCD if you didn't have obsessions/andor/compulsions would you? If you only spend 30 mins a day thinking about these, and it's not taking over your life you wouldn't qualify for a diagnosis. Just remember, most people usually only see the doctor when it gets to the point where it is taking over their life. If your diagnosis doesn't fit into this category, most doctors wouldn't diagnose you with anything, or diagnose you with "mild" and refer you to somewhere for coping strategies. Not putting down anything mild as non clinically significant, or saying that coping strategies are bad...

[CrazyLo]

Okay thanks. When I research said illnesses, I do feel like I have most of the symptoms. Usually, I do the research because I am experiencing an unusual mental or physical ailment. My therapist is constantly telling me, "you didn't go to med school so stop saying you know more than your doctors." Because I have a tendency to ween myself off of or increase dosages of my medications on my own. Or otherwise I'll complain to her that they're incompetent and I know more.

Really she was saying that they hypochondriac symptoms could be due to my paranoia and delusions that I've been experiencing because of my disorder...because while I've always done a little research to some extent, lately it's getting a little out of hand.

AnxietyMaster, I have the huge fear of heart attacks too. So badly that I'm always afraid I will die in my sleep. It doesn't help that I have chronic heart palpitations.

[Lynizle]

I think so! I was diagnosed with hypochondriasis a few years ago. At times I will spend hours a day researching medical symptoms..It makes me sick to my stomach b/c I always and convinced I have a deadly disease. Ive thought Ive had every type of cancer known..even prostate cancer(I'm a girl..I know dont laugh at me!)
Its a crippling illness and can really mess with your mind!

[CrazyLo]

My mom actually said to me last night (after I asked her if I needed to go the ER because I was having chest pains), "Lauren, lately you've become a bit of a hypochondriac. Stop diagnosing yourself!"

I probably need to discuss this further with my therapist. While I'm aware of somatic symptom disorder and its implications, I'm really worried I'm going to have a heart attack. I also think I might have asthma. And possibly a blood clot in my brain....ughh....

[francisR]

Hi Crazylo

Researching mental illness is a good idea, particularly if it is in order to find out if there are any good antidepressant drugs coming out or discovering new therapy tools for dealing with it.

But you need to be honest with yourself asking whether you really do experience those symptoms which you read about. You could ask yourself what advice you would give to someone else in your position, which would help you to be very objective about this. Take care. I hope and pray you have a really great day. God bless and best wishes from your friend Francis

[francisR]

Hi Crazylo

Those pains in your chest could have been down to indigestion or indeed rheumatism. This I know about because I got these pains in my chest years ago and the Dr. did an EEG and told me it was just rheumatism in the ribs. Symptoms. You experience could be down to much less serious causes. Take care. God bless and best wishes from your friend Francis