The Ramblings of a "Mad Man"

Although this is my opinion, I think this web site pretty much makes the point that misdiagnosed hypochondria is often a type of OCD. I have been a part of this site for years now and have watched it grow. I have seen the Hypochondria section fill up with people discussing their phobias and the constant trips to the doctors etc. I have also noticed that the OCD section has gone, for the most part, untouched. It is funny how there is a stereotype even within anxiety disorders. Anyway, I have chatted with numerous people here and have come to the following conclusion. My definition of Hypochondria is:

When a person feels ill and wants badly to find a cure that they obsess about their health. This may mean extensive research on the internet and many trips to the doctor in vane. Many times people who are hypochondriacs simply are avoiding the possibility of it being a “mental” health issue. Hypochondria, in my opinion is not a disorder, but a natural reaction to a simple stimulus, feeling ill. Any logical person would try to feel better.

Now, when logic starts to slip and OCD starts is when a person knows they have never had sexual intercourse, yet fears they have an STD. That is a rather easy example. I think the switch happens when someone knows that they can’t possibly have cancer due to repeated trips to the doctor, yet they still have this nagging feeling that they do. When the fear is so incredible that it flies in the face of rationality. I have noticed that many of the people on this site fall into one of the two categories.

I think the first example is probably anxiety sufferers who still haven’t found out or accepted that they have anxiety completely. They may think they have hypoglycemia, an allergy, or celiac’s disease. Either way, they will try to find a solution until it is exhausted and then move to the next possibility. Again, very rational, and I have to admit that I too went through this stage. I think it is very common. The second set of people have anxiety disorder and are usually aware of that and are plagued by “what ifs”. These “what ifs” cause anxiety, depression, and panic. They also lead people to initiate rituals like surfing the net to validate their thoughts or going to a doctor repetitively regardless of the same results.

In both cases, it is safe to say that anxiety disorder is the culprit. In fact I would go so far as to say that all anxiety disorders, although expressed differently, are caused by the same thing. This thing is fear. Thoughts of future and worries of past haunt everyone who has anxiety issues. Fear is the dominant trait that all anxiety disorders stem from and the only cure for fear is to face those fears. So, in closing, regardless of whether you have Hypochondria or OCD, it is important to face your fears. Those who think they have Hypochondria may have a fear of “mental” illness. Maybe by admitting that to themselves they can defeat that fear. Those who have irrational thoughts must learn to confront them without fear. Allow the thought to linger and do not allow it to dictate the direction you move in life. In general, the safest place for people with anxiety is the present. The only time an anxiety disorder sufferer forgets about their disorder is when they are caught up in the present. We could all kick our fears simply by living for the moment like everyone else.

OE