Hypochondriasis or hypochondria is a condition in which a person is excessively worried about having a serious illness. It has been claimed that this weakening condition results from an inaccurate perception of the condition of body and mind despite the absence of an actual medical diagnosis. Although it is currently considered a psychosomatic disorder, it is not genetically transmitted.

A person with hyprochondriasis is known as a hypochondriac. Hypochondriacs get disturbed about any physical or psychological symptoms they detect, no matter how minor the symptom may be, and are convinced that they have a serious illness, or are about to be diagnosed with one. They continue to get overly worried even after the doctor has reassured them that they are fine or that the symptom is not what they have in mind. A person is said to be a hypochondriac if after six months, he still feels or believes he has a serious illness which has not been confirmed.

The media and internet often contribute to hypochondria through their articles, TV shows, advertisement, etc regarding serious disease. They often portray these diseases as random, obscure and inevitable. Any major disease outbreak or disease predictions increase a hypochondriac’s fear that he may have that disease. Even a mere statistic regarding an illness like cancer will give hypochondriacs the illusion that they are more likely to develop the disease.

According to Wikipedia, “Overly protective caregivers and an excessive focus on minor health concerns have been implicated as a potential cause of hypochondriasis development”. Also, disease in the family or death of family members can trigger hypochondria in some persons. Likewise, when approaching the age of a relative who died prematurely from a disease, many other healthy, happy individuals fall prey to hypochondria. These individuals believes they are suffering from the same disease that caused their parent’s death, sometimes causing panic attacks with corresponding symptoms.