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Are You Tolerating or Loving the Hypochondriac?

© Victoria Tallman Freudiger

Living daily with a hypochondriac can be very difficult. The difficulties begin in a subtle and sometimes mysterious way. Then over a period of time, trying to determine if the hypochondriac is ill or not becomes such a burden, that the strain takes a toll on the relationship itself.

Daily, the hypochondriac enters his or her world convinced that he or she is ill or in pain. However, the people living with this type of human being begin their day hoping and praying that the hypochondriac becomes healthy.

As the sick person continues to stay focused upon their ailment or pain, the family members, friends and even co-workers, remain focused on beginning the day fresh and hopeful that life will present them with enjoyment and well health.

Hypochondriacs, on the other hand, do not have the ability to find enjoyment on most days. Laughter, high energy, excitement and relaxation may seem to the hypochondriac to be far away wishes only. Instead, a hypochondriac embarks the day and upon rising and thought patterns immediately begin convincing them that they are still ill. Naturally, in order to cope with the thoughts of being 'still ill,' which slowly devastate them again, the hypochondriac turns to those they know for compassion. When the compassion and comfort begin to decrease from these people, they turn to complete strangers in order to receive understanding and love. They do so because what they receive from the people who have been around them for a long times turns from love to tolerance.

Tolerance has a feeling, which does not wrap a person with care and comfort. Instead, what tolerance cause the 'ill one' to feel is probably slighted... put-off... 'unbelieved' and unwanted. Too much of the tolerance is felt by a hypochondriac. Tolerance causes them to have an even stronger belief system that there is something wrong with them, convincing them they are sick and really are a sufferer.

Therefore, let's with this revelation, move now to learning how to move from tolerating the 'ill one' to caring for the person who truly believes that he or she is ill. Look them in the eyes when speaking or listening to them. Cease avoiding people you know who might be hypochondriac in nature. Decide not to thwart them as you pass by them in the hallways of life. Healing can come about from acting in the opposite manner. Afterwards, the hypochondriac will learn to focus on something different with you.