People with hypochondria firmly believe that they have a serious illness, even if medical examinations have shown that there is nothing wrong. It is estimated that about 3% of the population suffers from hypochondria.
Thoughts of a hypochondriac Psychologist Pieternel Dijkstra:'Hypochondriacs continuously screen their bodies for aches, stings and other sensations. When they feel something, they interpret it negatively. They think:It's a tumor!, or:I'm going to die of a heart attack! Hypochondria can rear its ugly head in stressful times. Instead of tackling the 'real' problem, you project your worries onto your body.
Cognitive behavioral therapy can help
Sometimes the past comes into play. For example, if a family member has had a serious illness, you can become afraid that you will also get the illness. With every pain you think the time has come. It is also possible that your parents used to be overprotective and kept taking you to the doctor when nothing was wrong. These experiences can cause you to pay close attention to what is happening in your body later on. Research shows that almost all hypochondriac patients benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy. In addition, a psychologist teaches you to change your irrational thought processes (catastrophic thoughts about what you might have).'
Viewed by another expert
Mesologist Michelle Jongschaap:'Hypochondria is generally regarded as a psychological ailment, but it can indeed have underlying physical problems. It is an expression of 'not feeling well'. Mesology looks at the whole person and not just at the symptoms. That means that we see hypochondria as an essential complaint; it is a functional disorder of the whole person. The mesologist looks at the underlying dysfunctions and thus exposes the hidden problems.
What does a mesologist advise?
The advice of the mesologist focuses on nutritional adjustments, breathing exercises, lifestyle changes and natural medicines. All advice is aimed at adapting the lifestyle to your constitution, in other words the way in which your body and personality are structured.'
