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Hypochondria is a psychiatric illness also called hypochondriasis or health anxiety. Hypochondria is a preoccupation with having a serious physical disease. Hypochondriacs really think they have a problem, despite medical examination and reassurance. As a result, they have a lot of distress, and the condition interferes with work and relationships. For a diagnosis, symptoms must last at least six months, and, for over half of patients, symptoms last two years or more.
Hypochondria is part of a class of psychological disorders that involve reports of physical symptoms without a medical cause. It is thought that unconscious psychological conflicts become translated into physical problems or complaints, outside of the patient's conscious awareness. Hypochondria is not to be confused with disorders in which an individual intentionally fakes an illnesses for attention or to avoid punishment (malingering).
For more information visit, http://www.brainphysics.com/hypochondriasis.php at this site
Best regards,
Dr. Williams
Monnica T. Williams, Ph.D., Clinical Psychology
No Cost OCD Treatment: http://www.ocdproject.org