hypochondria

hy·po·chon·dri·a  (hp-kndr-)

n.

1. The persistent conviction that one is or is likely to become ill, often involving symptoms when illness is neither present nor likely, and persisting despite reassurance and medical evidence to the contrary. Also called hypochondriasis.

2. Plural of hypochondrium.

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[Late Latin, abdomen, from Greek hupokhondria, pl. of hupokhondrion, abdomen (held to be the seat of melancholy), from neuter of hupokhondrios, under the cartilage of the breastbone : hupo-, hypo- + khondros, cartilage; see ghrendh- in Indo-European roots.]

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hypochondria

Noun

abnormal anxiety concerning one's health [Late Latin: abdomen, supposedly the seat of melancholy]

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hypochondria  (hp-kndr-)

A psychiatric disorder characterized by the conviction that one is ill or soon to become ill, often accompanied by physical symptoms, when illness is neither present nor likely. A person with hypochondria is called a hypochondriac.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

hypochondria - chronic and abnormal anxiety about imaginary symptoms and ailments hypochondriasis anxiety, anxiousness - (psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic