Do you often getaccused by friends,colleagues or even

family members that youhave a habit of exaggerat-ing about simple healthissues? Do you often rushto your doctor at the theslightest instance of feelinga bit off-colour? And areyou constantly worried thatyou will or already mighthave developed some seri-ous ailment or disease? Ifyou answered a yes to anyof the above the questions,then you might be sufferingfrom Hypochondriasis.

DEFINITIONHypochondriasis can occurat any age, but it tends tostart during adolescence.Men and women are equal-ly affected it. Consultantphysician Dr Monica Goelsays, “Hypochondriasis is adisorder where onebelieves that they are expe-riencing medical illness,either real or imagined.They also believe that thesymptoms they can beattributed to serious med-ical ailments.Hypochondriais can lead tosevere anxiety and depres-sion in the sufferer.”

Consultant PsychiatristDr Vasant Mundra says, “Inhypochondriasis, a personis preoccupied with variousbodily symptoms which hebelieves are an indicator ofa serious disease. He/shetypically goes to many doc-tors, and has a huge med-ical file, with almost everyknown investigation done,and that too repeatedly.He/she is temporarily con-vinced when doctors reas-sure them, but their fearssurface again in a shortwhile.

SYMPTOMSDr Mundra says that thesymptoms of hypochondri-asis can disrupt thepatient’s life, as well as thatof his family. They may

EFFECTThe worries ofhypochondriacscan have severeramifications indaily life.Hingorrany men-tions that theyseek out reassur-ance from fami-ly, friends, orhealth careproviders on a

regular basis.

SUNDAY 6 FEBRUARY 2011 BOMBAY TIMES, THE TIMES OF INDIA

11VARIETY

OBSESSED WITH YOUR HEALTH?

Hypochondriasis i.e. preoccupation with one’simagined illnesses can lead to high levels of anxiety,writes Lisa Antao

stop working, may wantto change their residen-tial area as it isdamp/polluted/dusty.They spend hugeamounts on doctors,and often limit theirdiets according to theirown interpretations ofwhat is cold or hot, orwhat causes acidity orgas. Often this can leadto real nutritional defi-ciencies.

The symptoms ofhypochondria usuallyfollow a familiar pat-tern. The sufferer willdevelop an overpower-ing fear of a particularillness or illnesses.Often the fear is out ofproportion with the ill-ness based on non-exis-tent symptoms. Theopinions of physiciansand other medicalexperts often do nothelp in controlling thefear says Dr Goel.

CAUSESThere are a number ofreasons as to why a per-son might develophypochondriasis.Clinical psychologistSeema Hingorranymentions the followingcauses:� Having learnedapparent benefits ofbeing sick, such as

receiving attention.� Hypochondriasis mayoccur in an individual whohad a childhood illness orhad a sibling with a child-hood illness.� Hypochondriasis maydevelop from or be a sign ofone of other disorders suchas anxiety or OCD.� This condition has oftenbeen linked to underlyingemotional issues such as apreoccupation with deathor a life-changing event.� Physical or sexualabuse.� Poor ability to expressemotions.

there is a conviction whichis delusional that thesymptoms was caused bysome food, medicine orevent, and they oftenblame a certain person fortheir condition. The inter-net has led to a hugeincrease in hypochondria-sis. Access to medicalinformation has causedeven the otherwise healthyto suddenly become awareof trivial bodily symptoms,

ship with your physicianin which one feels comfort-able discussing your con-cerns and trust their eval-uation of your condition.Seek help throughCognitive BehaviouralTherapy from psychiatristor psychologist. And exer-cise as it’s not just good foryour health, but it alsomakes you feel betterabout your health.

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Because they are very pes-simistic in their approachtowards life, they general-ly don’t enjoy socially.Personality-wise,hypochondriasis should not be a way ofseeking attention fromothers by pretending to besick.

Repeated absenteeismfrom work often results infinancial difficulties andinterpersonal problems.Many patients are preoccu-pied that they have a cer-tain specific disease, suchas AIDS, cancer, paralysis,or heart disease. In others,

and arrive at alarmingdiagnosis. They arealso then scared of takingtreatment for genuineillnesses as they haveread up the side effects ofmedication, says DrMundra.

COPINGSince hypochondriacsspend a great a deal oftheir time unnecessarilyworrying about theirhealth, they need to over-come this pattern ofbehaviour. Dr Goel sug-gests that firstly develop aclose trusting relation-

TAKE A CHILL PILL:Don’t worry too much.Eat heathy and exercise

The star anise isbotanicallyknown as Illicium

Verum. It is dark-brownin colour with eight seg-ments. It has a sweetishlicorice taste. Besides, itsculinary uses, star anisealso has health benefits.Here are some of them:� In traditional Chinesemedicine, star anise isprescribed as an diges-tive aid, promotinghealth of female repro-ductive organs and forlactating mothers toincrease breast-milksecretion.� The anti-bacterial andanti-fungal properties ofstar anise is useful in thetreatment of asthma,bronchitis and drycough. For this rea-son, some coughmixtures con-tainstar aniseextract.� Staranise

can also be used as for itssedating properties toensure a good sleep.� The oil of star anise isuseful in providing relieffrom rheumatism andlower back pain.� Star anise can also beused as a natural breathfreshener.� Shikimic acid, a com-pound present in staranise is used for prepar-ing drug for curinginfluenza or the flu virus.� Linalool, a compoundpresent in star anise con-tains anti-oxidants prop-erties that are very goodfor one’s overall health.

Thinkstock Photos/ Getty Images

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Benefits ofstar aniseThis flower-shaped, wooden-looking spice is good for health

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SEE A DOCTOR: Do not

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