Is hypochondria dangerous? Well, hypochondria is defined as abnormal anxiety about one’s health that is characterized by an unwarranted fear that one has a serious disease. Many times, hypochondriacs don’t believe that they are healthy – even when a doctor (or multiple doctors) have confirmed that they are, indeed, healthy.
So, is hypochondria dangerous? Here are 7 reasons why it might be:
You might start to believe that you are actually sick when you’re not.
The mind is a very powerful thing. If you believe that you are actually sick, your body will start to show you signs and symptoms in order to justify those beliefs. This could be dangerous to you because you may start to actually make yourself sick.
According to a study done in BMJ Open, those who had health anxiety had a 71% greater chance of developing heart disease than those who were not anxious about their health. In addition, this study noted that the greater the degree of health anxiety, the greater risk for heart disease.
You might start to believe that every little symptom is a sign of a serious illness.
It’s not uncommon for people to worry about their health after experiencing a minor symptom, such as a headache or a cough. It’s important to be aware of potential health concerns. But, it’s also important to remember that not every little symptom is a sign of a serious illness. In many cases, the symptoms people experience are harmless and will resolve on their own without any medical intervention. Of course, there are some exceptions to this rule. If you’re experiencing a symptom that is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, or if the symptom persists for an extended period of time, it’s worth seeing a doctor to rule out any potential underlying health issues. However, for the most part, it’s safe to say that the majority of minor symptoms are nothing to worry about.
If you are constantly worried about every little symptom you experience being a sign of a serious illness, you may find that your mind and body are in a constant state of stress. It’s really not healthy for your body to be in a constant state of stress, because it raises your cortisol levels, which can lead to very serious health problems such as elevated blood pressure, diabetes, chronic fatigue, and a decreased immune system.
You might start to avoid people and activities because you’re afraid of getting sick.
If someone you know has a nasty cold or a bout of the flu, it’s perfectly normal that you would want to avoid being around them out of fear for getting sick yourself. After all, nobody likes being sick!
But hypochondriacs can take this to a whole new level. Some hypochondriacs don’t like being around anyone, ever, out of fear that they will catch some sort of illness from them…regardless of if they are sick or not. There have been a fair amount of respiratory viruses circulating over the past few years (COVID-19, the flu, RSV). But, there are ways to protect yourself when you are with other people. For example: wearing a mask, staying six feet apart from others, and not touching your face, mouth, or nose.
If you still don’t feel comfortable, and you’re avoiding people and activities more than you are enjoying them, you might need to take a look at how much your hypochondria is actually harming you. Being around other people is a human need. It’s one you will need to work towards if your hypochondria is getting the best of you. A recent study from the CDC found that being socially isolated increased the risk of prematurely dying from several causes. This same study showed that being isolated is just as dangerous as physical inactivity, smoking, and obesity.
You might start to neglect your own health because you’re so focused on being sick.
It sounds counterintuitive, but being a hypochondriac may cause you to neglect your own health. This can happen in a variety of different ways. For example: forgetting to take your prescribed medications and/or vitamins, not sleeping enough, not exercising, and not eating healthy meals.
When people are anxious or preoccupied with worries, it’s very hard for them to focus on their normal health routine. However, if you neglect your normal health routine, you could actually end up making yourself sick or unhealthy. That’s why it’s so important to focus on all aspects of your health when you are worried about being sick. Otherwise, those worries might actually start to come true…and nobody wants that!
You might start to experience anxiety and depression due to your constant worry about being sick.
It’s normal to have some anxiety and depression if you’re constantly worried about being sick. The key is to manage your anxiety and depression in a healthy way. Some people with anxiety and depression may benefit from medication, therapy, or both. If your anxiety and depression are impacting your quality of life, it’s important to seek professional help.
Many hypochondriacs who experience anxiety and depression from their excessive worries struggle with feeling embarrassed. This can lead to them not seeking help or even talking to anybody about what they are feeling. This can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression worsening, which can, in turn, make the hypochondriac thoughts worse.
See how everything is connected here…?
You might start to waste a lot of money on unnecessary medical tests and treatments.
If you’re a hypochondriac, you may spend lots of money on medical tests and treatments to ensure you are healthy. While this may give you relief in the moment, it could set you up for a potentially dangerous situation down the road.
Why? Well, in the event that you are experiencing a true medical emergency, you don’t want to be put in the situation where you cannot afford treatment for that particular issue. This is why it’s so important for hypochondriacs to have a solid medical budget set in place, great health insurance, or both.
Otherwise, you may find yourself in a sticky situation down the road.
You might start to lose hope that you will ever feel better.
It’s a common joke to call someone a hypochondriac when they seem overly concerned about their health. But for people who actually suffer from hypochondria, it’s no laughing matter. Hypochondria is a real mental disorder characterized by an excessive and persistent fear of having a serious medical condition. People with hypochondria may be constantly worried that they have a life-threatening illness, even when there is no evidence to support their fears. They may spend hours researching their symptoms online, making multiple doctor’s appointments, and undergoing unnecessary tests and procedures. And for some, the disorder may be so severe that it significantly interferes with their ability to function in daily life.
If this is you, you may start to lose hope that you will ever feel better. The absence of hope can be a very dangerous thing. Humans need hope in order to move forward, to make progress with their lives, and to enjoy the process along the way.
If you are a hypochondriac who is starting to lose hope that you will ever feel better, we would strongly encourage you to seek out the help of a medical professional or a mental health professional. These professionals will be able to help you make a plan to feel better and to finally put your hypochondria behind you, once and for all.
Disclaimer: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE.
If you are currently experiencing medical concerns, it’s important to talk to a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions. HypochondriacHQ does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen on this website.
