ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Hypochondriasis

Hypochondriasis is when someone worries all the time that they are very sick, even when they are not. It's like being scared of getting sick all the time.

Imagine you have a stuffed animal that you really love, like a teddy bear. You take care of your teddy bear by hugging it, washing it, and making sure it's okay all the time.

Sometimes, some people feel like their body is like their teddy bear, and they need to take care of it all the time to make sure it's okay. They worry and think too much that they might get sick.

Even if someone tells them that they are okay, they still feel like something is wrong. They might be too worried about their health and imagine that they have a lot of sicknesses that they don't have.

Sometimes the worry is so strong that people might even go to the doctor many times just to make sure that they are okay, even if the doctor says they are healthy.

It's important to remember that it's okay to care about your health and take care of your body, but it's also essential to trust that your body is strong and healthy. We don't need to worry too much about being sick all the time, and it's okay to ask for help if we feel worried.