Unmasking the Silent Fears: A Study on the Prevalence of Hypochondriasis Among Medical Students

Background: Hypochondriasis, known as illness anxiety disorder, is a prevalent psychological concern among medical students, often triggered by constant exposure to disease-related information. The objective was to assess the prevalence and determinants of hypochondriasis among a sample of Saudi medical students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 369 medical students from different provinces in Saudi Arabia. A valid and reliable 14-item Whiteley Index (WI) Questionnaire was used. A WI score of 7 more indicated hypochondriasis. Results: Approximately 55.3% of the students were males, 53.7% were in clinical years, and students were from both private (55.6%) and public (44.4%) medical colleges. More than half (53.4 %) of the students exhibited hypochondriasis tendencies. About 28.5% of the students consulted a psychiatrist. The prevalence was greater in female students (28.7%) than male students (23.0%). Approximately 54.5% of the students reported worrying about serious illnesses, and 45.8% expressed doubts about medical reassurances. Moreover, 40.7% of the students had a psychiatric diagnosis in their medical history, and health anxiety symptoms were frequent, with 55.3% endorsing the onset of signs or symptoms of diseases after reading about them. Approximately 32.5% of the students with hypochondria consulated a psychiatrist. Conclusions: Hypochondriasis is common among medical students, and it occurs more frequently among younger females. The findings underscore the importance of providing medical students with comprehensive mental health services tailored to the unique challenges faced by students, fostering both their overall well-being and their ability to cope with health-related anxiety.