Hippochondria – fanaberia or disease? "Download Health" run results

85% of Poles associate the concept of “hypochondria”, but only 11% of them combined them with frequent visits to medical institutions or excessive care for health. This is the consequence of the latest public opinion investigation conducted for the nationwide wellness run "Download Health". Experts unanimously stress that 1 of the most effective ways to reduce fears associated with undiscovered diseases is through preventive investigation and, in more advanced stages of concern, psychotherapist support.

In the face of expanding reports of an increase in the number of diseases in civilisation and another epidemics, it is natural that many people fear for their health. However, erstwhile these fears become strong adequate to disturb everyday life, this may propose developing disorders specified as hypochondria or nosophobia. Although these are serious illness units, public cognition of these is inactive low.

According to public opinion surveys, 66% of Poles can indicate a simple definition of hypochondria. Of this group, 35% described her as being oversensitive about her own wellness or as fear of being ill. It is worth noting, however, that the subjects did not associate it straight with frequent visits to the doctor, many tests, or excessive care for health.

The Difference between Real Fear and Consciousness

However, as medical sources indicate, hypochondria is simply a chronic concern about having a serious disease, despite the deficiency of nonsubjective evidence of its existence. Those suffering from this disorder are profoundly afraid about the anticipation of getting sick and focus on uncovering signs of a variety of conditions. In addition, they tend to analyse the results of their studies, and the smallest deviations from the standard are evidence of the presence of the disease. Hypochondriac disorders are estimated to happen in nearly 225 million people worldwide1.

In turn, nosophobia means an irrational fear of getting sick, even if there are no circumstantial reasons. People affected by this disorder may experience severe anxiety reactions in the face of possible wellness threats. Varieties of nosophobia are cancerophobia (fear of cancer), misophobia (fear of dirt and pollution) or bacteriophobia (fear of diseases caused by microorganisms).

– Hypochondria is characterized by an excessive fear of its own health, excessive care for it or, on the contrary, neglecting research, distrust of the results of investigation and advice offered by specialists, and seeking encouragement from others and ensuring that you are healthy. It is crucial to realize that hypochondria is simply a intellectual disorder and beyond the severe suffering of the patient, it can besides origin crucial disturbances in his regular life. Effective psychotherapeutic support and systematic medical investigation can aid overcome anxiety and improve the quality of life of the patient – says Natalia Kocur, expert in the “Get Health” campaign, psychotherapist and psychotherapist from the Psychotherapy Centre.

Early detection, longer life

One of the most effective ways to reduce fears associated with undiscovered diseases is through regular preventive research. Nevertheless, according to the "Download Health" run report, 27% of Poles do not execute them.

– Blood tests, which let early detection of various problems, are an crucial tool for the prevention of health. Although almost all respondents in our survey considered them important, 25% of them do not execute them. And they are crucial to each of us, especially those with wellness fears. They let for a reliable assessment of the wellness condition, resulting in a simplification in anxiety and stress associated with possible diseases – comments dr n. med. Karolina Karabin, coordinator of the "Download Health" campaign.

– Psychotherapist work with hypochondria patients is to reconstruct balance in the area of wellness care. The main task is to encourage the patient to undergo regular preventive tests, but without neglecting them or overdoing them. In this process, it is besides crucial to build trust in professionals in the field of medicine, which is to find solutions in the case of real diseases, not only to guarantee that everything is in orderu – adds Natalia Kocur.

The results of blood tests let doctors to accurately measure many parameters, which can aid early identify various diseases. However, an experienced doctor should always interpret the results and the final diagnosis, taking into account the exact patient’s past and symptoms.

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About the study:

A survey carried out by the Institute of IQS in June 2023 on a typical group of 800 Polish residents, showing the general existence of circumstantial views and behaviour in the context of wellness care and preventive research.

About the campaign:

The National wellness run "Download Health" is intended to make Poles aware that wellness care starts with prevention. Its mission is to rise public awareness and encourage regular monitoring of its health. As part of the first phase of the campaign, the "Health Without Fear" thematic action, the main nonsubjective of the educational action will be to rise awareness of hypochondria in society and advance a healthy approach to health. Education is the key to knowing and accepting this state and, above all, to helping those who request it.

The thought behind and organizer of the run is the uPacienta.pl portal – a company that makes it easier for Poles to access healthcare prevention all day, offering blood tests and another medical services with access to home.

Source: DownloadHealth.pl

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