Living with moderate hypochondria is actually extremely difficult. Hypochondria is defined as "a somatic disorder that is characterized by the belief that the patient has one or more serious medical conditions." Generally, people who suffer from hypochondria, also known as hypochondriasis, can misinterpret physical symptoms as potentials signs for serious infections or diseases.
Personally, I can barely eat anything without thinking it's going to give me food poisoning. I constantly think I'm living with serious illnesses like hypo- or hyperthyroid problems, or even tumors. If I don't take my allergy medication daily, the world will seemingly come to an end. Despite being cautious, there seems to be no positive that stems from living with hypochondria. The anxiety that results from this condition draws a very thin line between the fear of falling ill and losing one's sanity.
So how do we live with hypochondria?
1. Never tell anyone you're a hypochondriac; people will mess with you for fun and it's definitely not amusing. (I realize I broke the cardinal rule here, but you get my point.)
2. Have at least one homie, or maybe even your parents, who you can trust with your condition. They may get annoyed, but it's nice to have someone tell you that you're okay and not dying at least once per day. I always ask my parents if food is "good" to eat; they haven't been wrong yet!
3. Carry hand sanitizer at all times. Even though it'll dry out your hands, it'll give you peace of mind.
4. Stay away from WebMD at all costs. You may think it'll help "diagnose" your symptoms, but in reality, it will just mess with your head!
5. Mind over matter. Sometimes this idea actually works! Thinking positively and believing to your core that you're not ill can go a long way.
6. Be responsible with what you touch in public places. Use paper towels to open bathroom doors or even your sleeves to open or move objects. Whatever you do, do not touch a public restroom's toilet seat.
7. Clean your cell phone a regular basis. Trust me, you don't know what germs live and reproduce on there, and you probably don't want to.
8. Do you take your daily vitamins? Do that.
9. Annual check-ups are essential. Once you leave the doctor's office with a clean bill of health, it's okay to actually relax.
10. Lead a healthy lifestyle. Eating right and getting regular exercise are crucial for feeling great and avoiding potential health problems.
Hypochondria can easily take over your life, stimulating anxiety, obsessive behavior, and even fear. Nevertheless, it's important to be able to live life without worry! Some of the aforementioned tips may seem a bit too much for the average person; however, they will give you some peace of mind.
