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I woke up with excruciating pain in my stomach yesterday. My first instinct was to pick up the phone and read everything I possibly could about stomach-aches and all that they could imply.
What followed next was plain, raw fear. Dr Google’s diagnosis said I could be suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (ISB), Crohn’s disease, hernia, kidney stones, endometriosis, gallstones or cancer. I fell back on the bed, covered my face with the blanket, and as the spiral of all-that-could-go wrong clouded my head, I fell back to sleep.
A visit to the doctor calmed my nerves and I knew that I had acidity. He prescribed me medicines, told me what I should be eating, and that was it.
But what if that wasn’t it? What if I continued to spend countless days in fear, apprehension and paranoia?
Dr Kamna Chhibber, Clinical Psychologist, Fortis Healthcare, explains that the disorder is a recognized medical diagnostic category.
According to International Classification of Diseases (ICD) by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the essential feature of the disorder ‘hypochondriasis’ is a persistent preoccupation with the possibility of having one or more serious, progressive or life-threatening diseases.
Dr Chhibber informs that the preoccupation could be over a single disease or multiple diseases, which ends up becoming such a prevalent concern in a person’s mind that it interferes in the daily functioning.
FIT spoke with Ritika Aggarwal Mehta, Consultant Psychologist at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, who explained that the condition is long-term, “It could last over time and characterizes a very serious belief with few or no symptoms.”
The condition is a serious mental health concern as it could disrupt the person’s daily routine, affect his/her social life and even strain relationships.
Moreover, she adds, the condition could inch towards other mental health disorders like depression. You are constantly thinking of the worst, which affects your mood and may frustrate those around.
It is also common for people with the disorder to give up on their health. As Ritika Aggarwal Mehta explains,
Conversations with the psychologists revealed some common symptoms that may be indicative of illness anxiety disorder:
Interestingly, Dr Chhibber explained that such people may misunderstand the concern and consolation they receive from families or friends. She said, “Attention and care from loved ones may reinforce the doubt. People with the disorder may not understand that this concern is because they are struggling, not because they actually have a health issue.”
For all its help and assistance, internet may also be the cause of worsening cases of illness anxiety disorder.
Ritika Mehta agrees, and says that in the end, it’s all about how much you believe in the internet. People end up thinking, “If it is read by everyone, it can’t be wrong. Doctors are humans. They could be wrong.”
She suggests that internet could benefit us all if used in the right way. For instance, try reversing the order.
Dr Kamna Chibber advises, “Even if you want to google, sit with us and do it so that we can help you interpret it, because of course, there could be multiple interpretations of the same thing.”
Since it is a medical condition, a proper medical intervention can be done.
Dr Mehta adds that the basic premise is that thoughts are affecting emotions and behavior, so cognitive behavior therapy could help. “We examine the person’s history, possible stressors, alcohol or drug usage, or any other factor that could have instigated his/her condition. A support group may also be recommended.”
Remember to trust your doctor. Have faith in the fact that medical practitioners are offering you sufficient advice, and that multiple reports cannot be incorrect.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)
Published: 01 Aug 2019,06:14 PM IST