Is hypochondria a serious mental illness?!

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hypochondria is not a disease per se, more just a state of being I guess, a specific state of paranoia/anxiety that many otherwise mentally stable people experience.

And how did you even deduce schizophrenia from hypochondria? I'm not trying to be rude but that makes absolutely no sense, the two aren't related and if you had schizophrenia you would be noticing a million other symptoms before that.

This question is so ironic because the only reason you're worried that you have schizophrenia is because you ARE a hypochondriac. Just chill.

EDIT:
Just read your update. It sounds more to me like you have a germaphobic based form of OCD with intense anxiety that will need therapeutic/medical treatment. OCD can cause you to become so consumed with catching a disease that you're scared to death to touch doorknobs, shake hands, or go outside. It can be severe and impairing to normal functioning but can be treated with therapy and/or medication. See a psychologist as soon as you are able.

I'm not an expert but you sound more like an agorophobic - someone who's scared to go outside (usually scared of crowds and strangers too). They're good at inventing reasons not to go out, which could explain the hypochondria.

Hypochondria is usually a symptom in that some other emotional/psychological disturbance causes it. But to answer your question yes, it can be a condition in itself but I think it's quite rare: Munchausen by proxy is one condition in which the sufferer is convinced others are sick despite all evidence to the contrary.

It's not a serious mental illness. I'm not entirely sure if hypochondria is a symptom of schizophrenia but it's not treated as a serious mental problem, it can be treated with relaxation, cognitive behavioural therapy or sometimes medication. I also heard that everyone has some degree of hypochondria even if it is very slight.

all illness that are not physical in a sense....for eg a rash is physical u can see it. A flu is physical u can see and hear the effects.
All illness thats not physical are mental. Depression hyprochondria.... Add.....schizophrenia....

well since you are a hypochondriac I would say no.. you are not schizophrenic, you can have some symptoms of it but that does NOT mean you have the disorder.

hypochondriais a serious disorder sometimes t just depends...and yes it is sometimes a small starting of schizophrenia.