hypochondria

alternative dated hypochondry

1. uncountablemedicineA formerly defined psychological disorder characterized by excessive preoccupation or worry about having a serious illness. No longer a current medical diagnosis; see hypochondriasis for more.

   Near-synonyms: hypochondriasis, valetudinarianism

   2 more examples

   ... hypochondria ; but the hypochondria which arises from the belief in mental diseases is still more insupportable, and is increased by contemplation of the supposed crimes or faults, so that the mind should be ...

   1824, George Gordon Byron, Conversations of Lord Byron with the Countess of Blessington, page 120

   In this category we must include, for example, hypochondria, a disturbance shown by undue anxiety concerning one's own physical and mental condition.

   1908, George Lincoln Walton, Why Worry?, page 10

   Synonyms: hypochondriasis, valetudinarianism · Antonyms: anosognosia

2. obsoleteuncountablemedicineMelancholy; depression.

   Such labours as these, if they do not shorten life, are calculated to make it wretched, for hypochondria invariably follows close upon them.

   1833, Richard Robert Madden, The Infirmities of Genius Illustrated by Referring the Anomalies in the Literary Character to the Habits and Constitutional Peculiarities of Men of Genius, page 96

   2 more examples

   His own temperament appears to have been neither purely sanguine, choleric, phlegmatic, nor melancholic [...] not melancholy, since he is entirely free from hypochondria, thinks rapidly, and has an active will.

   1845, Life of G. W. von Leibnitz. On the basis of the German work of ... G. E. Guhrauer, page 275

   Nux likewise corresponds to hypochondria caused by rich and excessive living. In general, Nux is the best remedy for hypochondria arising from a morbid condition of the abdominal nerves ; after dinner, the patients generally experience a feeling of malaise and langour.

   1849, Franz Hartmann, Charles Julius Hempel, Theory of acute diseases, and their homoeopathic treatment, page 200

1. pluralplural of hypochondrium