I have become interested lately in the use of the term “Hypochondria” and have done a bit of trawling on the Internet to find out how we use this word. I have noticed that a lot of the Blogs on this subject are funny. You know – you go to the doctor with suspected ( and probably absolute) cancer/heart disease/ near death and find out that it is nothing to be concerned about, and everyone has a good laugh.
Movies and TV also enjoy using hypochondria for a few quick laughs. Woody Allen has made a specialty of it, there is the resident hypochondriac on the TV sitcom “Scrubs”, and even children’s animated movies have had a go, for example “Madagascar”.
Now you may be thinking that I’m being just a bit overly serious, but I notice that I don’t use the term of hypochondriac to describe myself, and I prefer to say that I suffer from a “Health Anxiety”. However, if a hypochondriac is someone who has an “abnormal anxiety about one’s health” (Oxford Concise Dictionary), then that’s me! I’m wondering that if we continue to see a hypochondriac as someone to make fun of, then it makes it even harder for sufferers to get the help and support that we all need.
In the end however, whatever term you use, the most important thing as always, is to get this help and support – only then can you regain a sense of humour!
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April 11, 2008 at 2:15 pm
oli
I have a question about meditation and health anxiety. I’m really into Buddhism, and had been meditating a while. But recently I’ve been dealing with anxiousness with regard to my body (particuarly heart and breathing). Often when I sit to meditate I become more aware of my heart, and my breathing, and often imagine that something is going wrong. The same thing happens during the day if I focus on my breathing (a recommended practice), or I don’t get anxious, its just very uncomfortable.
I was wondering how to carry on meditation practice, and breathing exercises, without exacerbating anxiety? Does anybody have any tips?
Hope your all well,
Thanks,
Oli
April 14, 2008 at 5:34 pm
jane
One of the aspects of Health anxiety that I have found is an increased awareness and hyper-awareness of bodily functions… this can include noticing the heart beating, or pain that might normally go un-noticed. I also find that I have less of an ability to rationalise what I am experiencing. I don’t of course know whether all of this applies to you, but having these feelings can be uncomfortable at best and totally debilitating at their worst. I wonder if it would be worth going and seeing your doctor or some other health practitioner that you trust, and talk some of these issues through?
All the best
Jane