Hypochondria v Health Anxiety

[Essene]

can you define the difference between these 2 conditions or are they essentially the same thing? If you have one, do you necessarily have the other?

TIA

They are, essentially the same. Hypochondria is now felt to have too many negative connotations so Health Anxiety is the preferred term (by some, I have either/both, what it's called is the least of my problems!)

Thank you 4nomore. I really wasn't sure..... I have always thought of myself as a hypochondriac - just the term I use on myself - but never thought of myself as having a health anxiety. But thinking recently (things have been tough recently) I suddenly realised that health anxiety (the term) fitted me too.

But you are right: what it is called is the least of my problems too!

There's a website that another Mnetter very helpfully gave me a while back - www.nomorepanic.co.uk - have a look on there, there is a definition of the difference between health anxiety and hypochondria, and see if you recognise yourself. If you don't, then I wouldn't be don't be so quick to accept the tag.