Hypochondriac: Treatment

A completely different clinical picture, which should not be confused with that of hypochondria in any case, is the Münchhausensyndrom. Here complaints are only pretended because the “affected person” has other goals in mind, for example, an early retirement or an insurance benefit. Others simulate without being clear about their motives.

People with Munchausen’s syndrome play the most serious illnesses deceptively real and force medical treatment – sometimes even dangerous interventions. They often seek attention, care, and sympathy in this way.

Effects on social environment

The exaggerated preoccupation with physical complaints can easily become chronic and thus a permanent personality trait. It becomes problematic when the constant concern for one’s own health affects social coexistence.

Hypochondriacs often expect special consideration from partners, friends and even children. If they do not receive this, they often withdraw in frustration to their body and their own suffering. The professional or educational performance decreases – about ten percent of hypochondriacs even become permanently unable to work.

Behavioral therapy for hypochondriacs

However, if those affected are willing to see their fears as the result of a mental illness and confide in a psychiatrist, for example, cognitive behavioral therapy can help. According to studies by American scientists, as few as six individual outpatient sessions are said to bring about improvement.

The outpatient clinic for clinical psychology at the University of Mainz combines individual and group sessions. According to its own data, the chances of success of the therapy, which lasts about three months, are 80 percent. In particularly pronounced cases of hypochondria, inpatient therapy is suitable. Psychosomatic clinics offer programs for six to eight weeks.

Goals of therapy for hypochondria

Common to all forms of therapy is that patients learn to evaluate their complaints realistically. Not every muscle spasm is the sign of a severe metabolic disorder.

They also gradually incorporate behaviors into their daily lives that they previously avoided. For example, they shake hands with strangers when greeting them, something they used to refuse to do for fear of infection.

In the next stage, they try not to investigate every new niggle to see if there might be a serious illness behind it.

Dealing with hypochondriacs

Hypochondriacs are dependent on human closeness and distraction. And this works best in company. Partners, friends and relatives should make it understood that they take him and his problem seriously and in no case dismiss the complaints as imagination.

After all, the patient is ill, even if his illness is not organic but psychological in nature. Relatives must encourage the hypochondriac to talk openly with the family doctor about his fears and advise him against changing doctors too often. And although it is not an easy task, advice to also seek professional help from a psychotherapist or psychiatrist is also important.