What is hypochondria?

Hypochondria is a mental disorder in which a healthy person believes that he or she is gravely ill. A person with this disorder will obsess over every little ache and pain in the body and will think that it indicates something very serious. Often, illnesses with no cure or very low rate of cure are the most feared.

ALS, brain tumors, melanoma, and AIDS are common concerns of people with health anxiety. Even when their doctors confirm they are well, they may still fear they are sick.

Of course, hypochondriacs do get sick like everyone else, but a past history of hypochondria may make it difficult for doctors and loved ones to tell whether the person's ailment is real or imagined.

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