Hypochondria: An illness at all times

Illustration by Chas Creek

Hypochondria or hypochondriasis is a psychosomatic disorder that refers to one’s persistent belief that physical symptoms (minor or insignificant) are signs of a serious disease, despite the reassurance received from medical doctors or medical evaluation.

The diagnosis of hypochondria must be given with caution and only when medical exams fail to point a real illness.

An increased number of visits to the medical doctor, requests for second or third opinion regarding a disease the client believes is the cause of his symptoms (despite test results that show no relevant problems) or exaggerated preoccupation towards one’s health (nor sustained by medical data) can be indicators of hypochondria.

The signs and symptoms of hypochondria may be: an increased fear of illness, misinterpretation of normal bodily functions or harmless symptoms (such as a running nose, heart beats, sweating, small sores etc.), symptoms that shift or change, vague or specific symptoms, no apparent physical disorder that can explain the symptoms, at least six months of persistent disturbance.

Although the exact causes of this illness are not known, the risk factors include having a serious disease during childhood, the loss of a loved one, anxiety disorders, knowing persons with serious health problems, the belief that being in good health means that you are free of all physical symptoms and sensations, having members of the family that suffer from hypochondria and feeling vulnerable to illness. Also, looking up (in books or over the internet) information on different symptoms or disease reinforces behaviors that make hypochondria persist or evolve. This disorder affects both men and women equally.

Hypochondria may be associated with other psychiatric disorders, such as major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder. It affects men and women equally.

Usually, this is a chronic disorder due to the fact that the client addresses first to medical doctors and only later seeks psychological help. However, starting the treatment earlier in the evolution might increase the rate of success. The options of treatment are psychotherapy and medication. Studies have shown that cognitive-behavioral therapy is more effective for hypochondria. Understanding and recognizing the false or irrational beliefs that cause the health anxiety are key-points in the process of healing. The client will also learn to stop those behaviors that increase anxiety level, such as body vigilance (constantly paying attention to your bodily functions and problems that might occur). Antidepressant medication may help during the treatment, but must be used with caution because the side effects can actually increase health anxiety.

The impact hypochondria has on your life can be reduced by early recognition of the problem and getting the proper treatment method (and sticking to it!).

Article by Lucia Grosaru

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Psychotherapy: A variety of choices!

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Psychotherapy, as a method to re-establish one’s psychological equilibrum, has a variety of forms and types, each of them providing solutions for a wide range of problems. There are many ways to classify the forms of psychotherapy, but I chose to present you the most common of them.

Psychoanalysis

Founded by austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud in the 1890’s, psychoanalysis is the first therapeutical approach that has been labeled as psychotherapy in Europe. One of my personal favorites, psychoanalysis is constructed around the concept of “unconscious mind”, which is the part of the mind capable of storing repressed memories. Psychoanalysts see current mental problems as consequences of past experiences that have been repressed for either being too painful, embarrassing, not in accordance with morals or norms of society, etc. The therapy involves sessions of dialog between the therapist and the client aimed to reveal those hidden memories and feelings. Hypnosis and verbal free association are often used to unlock contents. The number of sessions varies from 1 to 3 fifty minutes sessions per week. The psychoanalytical cure is known to be a long-term form of therapy, that might last around two or three years. Psychoanalysis guides you through a long journey within yourself, but don’t worry, it will be a comfortable one : the use of the sofa in therapy sessions has been introduced by father Freud also. You only need to relax and get ready to meet your inner self!

Cognitive-behavioral therapy

Albert Ellis is a pioneer in the development of cognitive-behavior therapy, also known as CBT. This type of psychotherapy combines the cognitive and behavioral approaches. The therapists and the client will focus on modifying specific behaviors and negative patterns of thinking using goal-oriented, systematic procedures. The time needed for this type of therapy is shorter and preferred in the treatment of certain mental problems, such as anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders etc.

Gestalt therapy

Gestalt therapy places the client in the “here and now” concept. One must be responsible for all decisions and aware of all kinds of relationships and connections made with others and also with the environment. The founders of this type of psychotherapy are Fritz Perls, Laura Perls and Paul Goodman.

Classic psychodrama

Psychodrama has been developed by Jacob L. Moreno and promotes the idea of acting out your emotions and interpersonal interactions on stage. The client is the protagonist and the therapist is seen as the director. Although the client might interact with other actors, the whole play is focused on him and the exploration of his internal conflicts through several techniques, such as doubling, mirrors, role reversals etc.

Ericksonian Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is a great method to modify segments of behavior that interfere with one’s healthy psychological lifestyle. Through hypnosis you can get rid of bad habits, such as nail biting or smoking. Ericksonian hypnotherapy, unlike “classic hypnotherapy”, uses more indirect suggestions than direct ones. This is what makes it efficient even when the client has a high level of resistance to suggestions. Milton Erickson is known as the father of modern hypnotherapy and his form of hypnosis is one of the fastest growing branches of hypnotherapy today.

Integrative Psychotherapy

In order to describe this form of therapy, I will use the metaphor my trainer used in our first course: Integrative psychotherapy is like drawing using all the crayons in the box, instead of just one. Integrative psychotherapy supports the idea that a psychological issue can be seen from different angles, using a variety of approaches and that for therapy one may choose the adequate techniques, irrespective of the orientation they belong to, but are considered most effective for the client. An integrative psychotherapist might use techniques from the following approaches: psychoanalysis, cognitive-behavioral therapy, client-centered therapy, gestalt therapy, neuro-linguistic programming, ericksonian hypnosis, transactional analysis, etc.

Now you know some of the most common branches of psychotherapy and you might consider these information when choosing a therapist. You have the right to know which kind of training the therapist in front of you has taken and you can choose if it fits your needs or not. However, certain types of psychotherapy are indicated for specific problems, so do not be shy and talk to your therapist about this matter.

Keep in mind that the way towards a healthy, happy life is always in front of you and all you need to do is take time to enjoy every step of the journey!

Article by Lucia Grosaru