Overview
Hypochondria, or Illness Anxiety Disorder (IAD) as of the publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) in 2013, refers to a condition in which someone experiences constant and intense fear of having a serious illness. The term “hypochondriac” is weighed down by a lot of social stigma, much like “addict,” so the American Psychiatric Association (APA) began explicitly reframing the condition as a disorder. Symptoms include:
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Constant anxiety about personal health and normal functions like heart rate (although Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder also has this as a symptom, the two are distinct)
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Persistent concerns despite medical testing that detect nothing wrong
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Misinterpreting minor symptoms like a cough for a severe illness
Many people turn to substance use in an attempt to self-medicate the distress caused by IAD, which can significantly worsen the anxiety experienced while adding a new constellation of sensations and symptoms to worry about.