hypochondriasis
nounUS /ˌhaɪːpɔ.kanˈdɹaɪːəsɪs/
Etymology From New Latin; by surface analysis, hypochondr(ium) + -iasis. See also hypochondria, hypochondrium, and Wikipedia at hypochondriasis § Etymology.
1
Medicine, Sciences A mental disorder (in some classifications of such disorders, including ICD-11) that is characterized by excessive fear of or preoccupation with a serious illness, despite medical testing and reassurance to the contrary.
- Near-synonym: hypochondria
- Most individuals who previously would have been diagnosed with hypochondriasis in DSM-IV [1994] (preoccupation with having a serious disease based on the individual’s misinterpretation of bodily symptoms) are now classified as having somatic symptom disorder; however, in one-third of cases, the diagnosis of illness anxiety disorder applies instead.2022, American Psychiatric Association, DSM-5-TR: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision, American Psychiatric Association, →ISBN, page 1463:
- Related terms
- hyperchondria, hypochondria, hypochondriac, hypochondriacal, hypochondrium