Did you know that people from the former Yugoslavia are the second biggest hypochondriacs in Europe? According to Eurostat research, about one million people visit general practitioners ten or more times a year, and most of these visits are completely unnecessary. Hypochondria, the disease of modern times, is not just imagined worry – it’s a real psychological suffering that can ruin your quality of life.
Psychotherapist Anđela Lekov explains that hypochondria is not just fear of illness, but an obsession with the idea that you are already sick, even though it’s not confirmed. People keep going back to doctors hoping to confirm what they already think – that they have some undiscovered disease. But here’s a shocking fact: 90% of patient visits to doctors are unnecessary! And it’s not just a problem for the elderly, but also for young people who find it hard to accept that they need psychotherapy or psychological help.
Hypochondria can appear at any age, often after traumatic events or when someone close is ill. People misinterpret symptoms, often google their complaints, and panic. They most often complain about cardiovascular problems, headaches, dizziness, and in their minds, the worst diagnoses spin – tumors, heart attacks, and the like.
Treating hypochondria is not simple, but psychotherapy and, if needed, medication can help. It all depends on the individual and their willingness to accept help. But let’s be honest – how many of us have googled symptoms and thought we were dying? If you’re one of them, you’re not alone, but maybe it’s time to stop fearing your own body and start living life to the fullest.
And hey, if you have a funny or scary story about how you freaked out over a simple headache, feel free to share it in the comments. Let’s show that we’re all in this hypochondriac madness together!
