Hypochondriasis

Obsolete DSM-IV-TR Diagnosis

This diagnosis no longer exists in the DSM-5. It has been replaced by Illness Anxiety Disorder and Somatic Symptom Disorder

Since I Can't Use Hypochondriasis Anymore... Is it now Illness Anxiety Disorder or Somatic Symptom Disorder?

With the diagnostic change from the DSM-IV to the DSM-5, approximately 75% of individuals previously diagnosed with hypochondriasis are subsumed under the diagnosis of somatic symptom disorder. However, about 25% of individuals with hypochondriasis have high health anxiety in the absence of somatic symptoms. In this case, the DSM-5 diagnosis of illness anxiety disorder is used. Illness anxiety disorder can be considered as either a somatic disorder or as an anxiety disorder.

Preoccupation with fears of having, or the idea that one has, a serious disease based on the person's misinterpretation of bodily symptoms.

The preoccupation persists despite appropriate medical evaluation and reassurance.

The belief in Criterion A is not of delusional intensity (as in Delusional Disorder, Somatic Type) and is not restricted to a circumscribed concern about appearance (as in Body Dysmorphic Disorder).

The preoccupation causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

The duration of the disturbance is at least 6 months.

The preoccupation is not better accounted for by generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive Disorder, panic disorder, a major depressive episode, separation anxiety disorder, or another somatoform disorder.