Are you concerned about your health all the time? Do you often go to many physicians to get reassurance about your symptoms? Do you insist on being scanned and having blood tests done on a regular basis?
In such scenario, it is possible that you have an illness anxiety disorder (IAD). The medical community recognizes it as a psychiatric problem that requires a different diagnosis than other mental health issues. Excessive and ongoing concern for one’s health and an irrational fear of having or acquiring a major medical illness are among its defining characteristics. It causes compulsive behaviors that make it difficult for victims to go about their daily lives regularly.
Let’s examine the characteristics of anxiety disorders in greater detail.
The illness-anxiety disorder’s history The original name for illness anxiety disorder was hypochondriasis. Greek doctors were the first to use the word “hypochondria” in traditional medicine. Thus, the Greek term “hypochondrios,” which meaning “under cartilage,” is where the name hypochondrium originates. The word refers, in essence, to the areas of the body between the navel and the ribs.
Illness Anxiety Disorder Why is it the case? Back then, hypochondria was thought to be a medical ailment that started in the stomach and moved up to the brain, where it resulted in psychological issues. Furthermore, until recently, the term “illness without a specific cause” was associated with hypochondriasis.
The name “hypochondriasis” was completely rejected in the most recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) since it was considered disparaging. Instead, a new label called “illness anxiety disorder” was added. Currently, the DSM-5 lists health anxiety and disease anxiety under “somatic symptom and related disorders.” Because of the similarities and overlap of symptoms with other mental health conditions including OCD and generalized anxiety, it is one of the most difficult psychological diseases to identify and treat.