Word: Hypochondriasis (Ready Reference)

I love words. And I love ready reference.

According to the University of Maryland, hypochondriasis can be defined as, "Hypochondriasis, or hypochondria, is an overwhelming fear that you have a serious disease, even though health care providers can find no evidence of illness. People with hypochondriasis tend to misinterpret normal body sensations as being signs of serious illness. Most people occasionally fear they have an illness, but people with hypochondriasis are preoccupied with their fear. This fear is severe and persistent and interferes with work as well as relationships. Hypochondriasis is somewhat similar to obsessive-compulsive disorder, because of the obsession with illness and the compulsion to do something to lessen their anxiety. An estimated 75 - 85% of people who have hypochondriasis also have anxiety, depression, or another mental disorder."

Origin of the word:
< Late Latin < Greek, neuter plural of hypochóndrios to the upper abdomen (supposed seat of hypo- + chóndr ( os ) ensiform cartilage. (dictionary.com)

And finally, according to the trusty Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edition, text revision), the word can be further "defined", in a person, by the following criteria:

A. Preoccupation with fears of having, or the idea that one has, a serious disease based on the person's misinterpretation of bodily symptoms.

B. The preoccupation persists despite appropriate medical evaluation and reassurance.

C. The belief in Criterion A is not of delusional intensity (as in Delusional Disorder, Somatic Type) and is not restricted to a circumscribed concern about appearance (as in Body Dysmorphic Disorder).

D. The preoccupation causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

E. The duration of the disturbance is at least 6 months.

F. The preoccupation is not better accounted for by Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, a Major Depressive Episode, Separation Anxiety, or another Somatoform Disorder.