hypochondria

American  

[hahy-puh-kon-dree-uh] / ˌhaɪ pəˈkɒn dri ə /

noun

1. Psychiatry. Also hypochondriasis an excessive preoccupation with one's health, usually focusing on some particular symptom, as cardiac or gastric problems.

2. excessive worry or talk about one's health.

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hypochondria British  

/ ˌhaɪpəˈkɒndrɪə /

noun

1. Also called: hypochondriasis.  chronic abnormal anxiety concerning the state of one's health, even in the absence of any evidence of disease on medical examination

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hypochondria Scientific  

/ hī′pə-kŏn′drē-ə /

1. A psychiatric disorder characterized by the conviction that one is ill or soon to become ill, often accompanied by physical symptoms, when illness is neither present nor likely.

2. ◆ A person with hypochondria is called a hypochondriac.

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Usage

What does hypochondria mean? Hypochondria was once commonly used as the name of the condition involving constantly and excessively worrying about one’s health, believing that one is or is about to become ill when there is really no reason to believe so. The condition was also formerly called hypochondriasis. A person who worries in this way was once commonly called a hypochondriac. However, mental health practitioners have largely stopped using the terms hypochondria and hypochondriac in favor of other terms due to such labels being seen as demeaning. People with the condition are now sometimes diagnosed with illness anxiety disorder. The chronic anxiety that the condition involves is often focused on particular ailments—such as heart or stomach pains—and may even be accompanied by physical symptoms. It’s normal to wonder if you’re sick when you have a cough or a runny nose, but illness anxiety disorder is recognized as a mental disorder when such worrying becomes constant and excessive, especially when there are no symptoms. In these cases, the anxiety often disrupts a person’s daily life. The words hypochondriac and hypochondria are still often used in a casual way outside of their use by medical and mental health professionals, such as in the context of a person who frequently becomes convinced that minor pains are a sign of a serious health problem. However, using the words in this way can be insensitive and offensive. Example: Labeling patients as having hypochondria only stigmatized them—it didn’t do anything to help their underlying anxiety.

Etymology

Origin of hypochondria

1555–65; < Late Latin < Greek, neuter plural of hypochóndrios pertaining to the upper abdomen (supposed seat of melancholy), equivalent to hypo- hypo- + chóndr ( os ) ensiform cartilage + -ios adj. suffix

Explanation

Hypochondria is an abnormal anxiety about your health. If you are constantly worried that you have a grave illness, you might be suffering from hypochondria. Hypochondria comes from the Greek hupo meaning "under" and khondros meaning "sternal cartilage." This refers to the soft space under the ribs where the liver, gallbladder and spleen are located. Long ago, people believed that melancholy or sadness came from these organs. A person with hypochondria is convinced that her minor symptoms are signs of a more serious illness. Often hypochondriacs become paranoid about their health — either visiting doctors a lot or avoiding them altogether out of fear.

Example Sentences

In between unfolds a drama of infidelity, jealousy and, as embodied by Mr. Allen’s character, hypochondria.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2025

Nicknamed "The Prince of Pain", Lewis was known for poking fun at his own neuroses and hypochondria during his comedy routines.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2024

She's very, well, a lot and her obsessive compulsive tendencies and hypochondria are played at first in "A League of Their Own" as over the top, for cheap-feeling laughs.

From Salon • Dec. 26, 2022

Her biggest struggle is with hypochondria, which manifested after her mother’s death.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2021

Her lifelong hypochondria had never had a better field in which to flower.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides