I believe my work colleague is suffering from hypochondriasis. He worries excessively about his physical health, even when there is little or no evidence that anything is wrong with him. When one symptom goes away, another takes its place. Everyday he talks about his physical health; pains in the chest one day, stomach cramps the next, and headaches the third. These complaints do not usually follow any logical pattern. He browses the internet for hours about anything affecting his health hoping to find a magic cure for this pain, that pain, any pain.
Many of us experience the symptoms of hypochondriasis at one time or another. But the true hypochondriac usually sees these symptoms as evidence of deadly illnesses. They are preoccupied with health matters and have unrealistic fear of disease. A clean bill of health from various doctors may provide little reassurance. The hypochondriac either continues to believe that the illness is present or acquires another to take its place.
