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In hypochondria paradox, Swedish study finds a higher death rate in those who fear serious illness (apnews.com)

submitted 2 years ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/health@lemmy.world

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A large Swedish study has uncovered a paradox about people diagnosed with an excessive fear of serious illness: They tend to die earlier than people who aren’t hypervigilant about health concerns.

Hypochondriasis, now called illness anxiety disorder, is a rare condition with symptoms that go beyond average health worries. People with the disorder are unable to shake their fears despite normal physical exams and lab tests. Some may change doctors repeatedly. Others may avoid medical care.

“Many of us are mild hypochondriacs. But there are also people on the other extreme of the spectrum who live in a perpetual state of worry and suffering and rumination about having a serious illness,” said Dr. Jonathan E. Alpert of Montefiore Medical Center in New York.

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[–] paddirn@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I wonder if it's the extra stress and anxiety of just worrying about illness so much that makes it worse for the person and shortens their life? It's like a feedback loop where they stress out and worry about getting sick, which in turn makes them feel worse and inevitably get sick because of a stressed immune system, which makes them more stressed and anxious, over and over again all throughout their life.

[–] qooqie@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

Pretty much

The researchers found that people with the diagnosis have an increased risk of death from both natural and unnatural causes, particularly suicide. Chronic stress and its impact on the body could explain some of the difference, the authors wrote.

[–] RobotToaster@mander.xyz 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

I told you I was ill!