We’ve all known a hypochondriac or two in our lifetimes. They’re always ill, a headache is a sign they have a brain tumor, a stomach pain means their appendix is about to explode, etc. They’re extremely fearful of becoming severely ill even when, clinically speaking, there’s nothing wrong with them. However, as it turns out, hypochondriacs tend to die earlier than those who are less anxious about their health, according to a new study.
Hypochondriasis is a serious problem.
All jokes aside, there’s a difference between occasionally worrying that your sore throat is going to turn into an annoying cold that will make you feel like crap for a week and hypochondriasis.
The latter is now known as anxiety illness disorder, and it’s a rare but serious problem that can completely overtake a sufferer’s life, filling them with dread and despair about getting sick.
“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, per The Omaha World-Herald.
Early mortality rates are higher among hypochondriacs.
Researchers in the study, which was published on December 13 in JAMA Psychiatry, revealed that people with the condition have an increased risk of death from causes both natural and unnatural.
In fact, suicide rates are higher in hypochondriacs, and scientists believe that the consistently increased stress levels and their impact on the body could contribute. In fact, they found suicide rates to be four times higher in those with hypochondriasis.
The overall death rates for hypochondriacs was 8.5 versus 5.5 per 1,000 person years. In other words, people with hypochondriasis were more likely to die at age 70 rather than 75, with their risk of circulatory and respiratory diseases being much higher than average.
Hypochondriacs shouldn’t have to sit around worrying that they might die.
Alpert, who wasn’t involved with the study, said that the condition shouldn’t be brushed off and it should be treated to help improve the lives of hypochondriacs.
Things like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), education, and even antidepressant medications can help, either alone or in combination with other coping techniques and treatments.
