Editing Hypochondriasis (section)

==Cause==
The genetic contribution to hypochondriasis is probably moderate, with heritability estimates around 10–37%. Non-shared environmental factors (i.e., experiences that differ between twins in the same family) explain most of the variance in key components of the condition such as the fear of illness and disease conviction. In contrast, the contribution of shared environmental factors (i.e., experiences shared by twins in the same family) to hypochondriasis is approximately zero.<ref name=":0">{{cite journal|vauthors=Taylor S, Thordarson DS, Jang KL, Asmundson GJ|year=2006|title=Genetic and environmental origins of health anxiety: a twin study|journal=World Psychiatry|volume=5|issue=1|pages=47–50|pmc=1472263|pmid=16757996}}</ref>

Although little is known about exactly which non-shared environmental factors typically contribute to causing hypochondriasis, certain factors such as exposure to illness-related information are widely believed to lead to short-term increases in health anxiety and to have contributed to hypochondriasis in individual cases. An excessive focus on minor health concerns and  serious illness of the individual or a family member in childhood have also been implicated as potential causes of hypochondriasis. Underlying anxiety disorders, such as general anxiety disorder, also increases an individual's risk.<ref name="Illness Anxiety Disorder" />

In the media and on the Internet, articles, TV shows, and advertisements regarding serious illnesses such as [[cancer]] and [[multiple sclerosis]] often portray these diseases as being random, obscure, and somewhat inevitable. In the short term, inaccurate portrayal of risk and the identification of [[non-specific symptom]]s as signs of serious illness may contribute to exacerbating fear of illness. Major disease outbreaks or predicted [[pandemics]] can have similar effects.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that some individuals become hypochondriac after experiencing major medical diagnosis{{needs source|date=March 2025}} or death of a family member or friend. Similarly, when approaching the age of a parent's premature death from disease, many otherwise healthy, happy individuals fall prey to hypochondria. These individuals believe they have the same disease that caused their parent's death, sometimes causing panic attacks with corresponding symptoms.<ref name="Illness Anxiety Disorder"/>