The persistent neurotic conviction that one is or is likely to become ill, often involving experiences of real pain when illness is neither present nor likely. Also called hypochondriasis.

Fear of becoming sick.

Hypochondria refers to an abnormal anxiety over one's health, often with imaginary illnesses and severe melancholy.

Fear of imagined illnesses or disorders.

Hypochondria (or hypochondriasis, sometimes referred to as health anxiety or health phobia) is a somatoform disorder in which one has the unfounded belief that one is suffering from a serious illness. Hypochondria is often characterized by irrational fears of being diseased/dying, obsessions over minor bodily symptoms or imperfections, doubt and disbelief in doctors' diagnosis, constant self-examination and self-diagnosis and preoccupation with one's body. Hypochondriacs often require constant reassurance, sometimes from multiple doctors, family and friends.