Mental or Behavioral Dysfunction
hypochondriasis Audio
hy·po·chon·dri·a·sis [ hahy-puh-kon-dree-uh-siss ]
Subclass of:
Somatoform Disorder
Etymology:
Greek hypo = below + chondros = cartilage + -iasis = disease
Definitions related to hypochondriasis:
  • (hypochondria) Exaggerated concern about health that is based not on real medical pathology but on unrealistic interpretations of physical signs or sensations as abnormal.
    Sadock's Comprehensive Glossary of Psychiatry and Psychology
    BJ Sadock Titles Press, 2012
  • A somatoform disorder in which an individual is preoccupied with having a serious illness despite not having been given a corroborating diagnosis.
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • Preoccupation with the fear of having, or the idea that one has, a serious disease based on the person's misinterpretation of bodily symptoms. (APA, DSM-IV)
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • Hypochondriasis and the other somatoform disorders are among the most difficult and most complex psychiatric disorders to treat in the general medical setting. On the basis of many new developments in this field, diagnostic criteria have been revised to facilitate clinical care and research.
    Medscape
    WebMD, 2025
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This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.