The fear of illness is called hypochondria. Like many other phobias, this fear can cause considerable anxiety, both to the person suffering from it and to those close to them. However, hypochondria has other, more dangerous consequences.
What does the fear of getting sick lead to
Hypochondria can seriously undermine a person's psyche, especially if the phobia has reached a severe stage. Constant fear creates stress, which, in turn, undermines health. The more a person thinks about the risk of getting sick, the weaker his nervous system becomes. That is why hypochondria needs quick, and most importantly, professional treatment.
Close people also suffer. Being exposed to a phobia can lead to conflicts that only exacerbate stress. If the hypochondriac is left alone, misunderstood and rejected, it badly affects his health.
Unfortunately, people with this phobia often develop real diseases. This is a purely psychological effect: if a hypochondriac is very much afraid of symptoms such as high fever or low blood pressure, they may indeed appear soon. This does not mean that a person really develops a serious illness, it is just that his body reacts to stress in this way. The more often “imaginary” symptoms appear, the higher the risk that they will have adverse health effects.
Why hypochondria can be dangerous
The most serious problem faced by hypochondriacs is an irresistible desire to "recover" from imaginary diseases. Reading thematic forums, magazines and books, as well as watching medical programs, people discover symptoms of some serious illness and begin to sincerely believe that they are really sick. To "cure", they themselves prescribe a variety of medications that doctors recommend to use for this disease.
At the initial stages, hypochondriacs can drink a lot of dietary supplements, but one should not think that such a hobby is completely harmless. The wrong choice and overuse of these supplements can be very harmful.
The use of drugs unnecessary for a person, supported by stress and a strong psychological effect, can ultimately lead to serious changes in the functioning of the body and the development of diseases. The functions of internal organs are disrupted, immunity is getting lower. If you notice that hypochondria has already reached the stage when a person begins to prescribe treatment for himself, do not hesitate a day and urgently contact an experienced professional. Remember that fear of illness can be cured successfully.
