We all have concerns about our health which can be hard to get off our minds.
If these thoughts become severe, it could signal a condition such as hypochondriasis or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
In response, many types of “safety behaviors” may be shared by both disorders.
In contrast, there are important differences as well.
How Hypochondriasis and OCD Differ
There are several differences between obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and hypochondriasis.
Some of the more common differences include are listed here.
In contrast, people withhypochondriasishave obsession-like concerns primarily related to their health.
These concerns often have to do with developing a serious medical condition, such as cancer.
(Nosophobia, or “cyberchondria,” is the fear of having aspecificdisease.)
People with OCD are generally less preoccupied with physical sensations.
punch in of Help Sought: Medical vs. A person with OCD will often seek psychological treatment after recognizing the symptoms.
A person with hypochondriasis, in contrast, will often have a medical professional recommend psychological treatment.
Important similarities are listed below.
The safety behaviors feel good and are therefore used again and again.
For this reason,psychological therapiesfor both OCD and hypochondriasis specifically target these kinds of rituals and compulsions.
Extensive assessment is often required to arrive at the correct diagnosis.
Cleveland Clinic.Illness anxiety disorder (hypochondriasis).
