hypochondriasis
- noun
- /ˌhaɪpəˌkɒndriˈeɪsɪs/
- Specialized
- His friends encouraged him to seek help, as his hypochondriasis made him falsely believe he was gravely ill.
- treat hypochondriasis
Remember, hypochondriasis is a focus on symptoms that don't exist or are so mild that they don't even garner medical attention.
- Remember, hypochondriasis is a focus on symptoms that don't exist or are so mild that they don't even garner medical attention.
Examples
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The more deviant a subject was on four MMPI scales (psychasthenia, depression, hypochondriasis, and hysteria), the greater the effect of the drugs.
Blog text (32) -
You all took the Whiteley test, which is a test for hypochondriasis, to test whether or not you are hypochondriacs.
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They therefore have no need for a placebo to relieve them of their hypochondriasis.
Academic text (1997) -
Remember, hypochondriasis is a focus on symptoms that don't exist or are so mild that they don't even garner medical attention.
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What could I offer you, but a bad temper, hypochondriasis, morbid fixations, reclusive rages and misanthropy?
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The name of the third component, Somatization, emerged from its high loadings on 1-Hs (Hypochondriasis), HEA (Health Concerns), and 3-Hy (Hysteria).
Academic text (2003) -
She constantly worries that she has a serious illness, demonstrating clear signs of hypochondriasis.
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Despite many doctors telling her she is healthy, her hypochondriasis leads her to believe otherwise.
Synonyms
Worry that you have a serious illness even when doctors say you are healthy
Being very worried about your health and often thinking you are sick
How Worried
Surface Forms
Morphology
hypochondriasis = hypo + chondr + iasis
This is a learned medical term built from classical elements, but the modern meaning 'excessive worry about illness' is not predictably recoverable from those parts.
Etymology
Hypochondriasis comes from Greek parts hypo- meaning 'under', chondros meaning 'cartilage' or 'breastbone', and -iasis meaning 'disease'. Long ago people thought illnesses and strong worries began in the area 'under the ribs', so hypochondriasis now means a steady fear of having a serious illness.