ICD-11 classes
06 Mental, behavioural or neurodevelopmental disorders
Obsessive-compulsive or related disorders
6B23 — Hypochondriasis

ICD-11 6B23 — Hypochondriasis

Hypochondriasis is characterised by persistent preoccupation or fear about the possibility of having one or more serious, progressive or life-threatening illnesses. The preoccupation is accompanied by either: 1) repetitive and excessive health-related behaviours, such as repeatedly checking of the body for evidence of illness, spending inordinate amounts of time searching for information about the feared illness, repeatedly seeking reassurance (e.g. arranging multiple medical consultations); or 2) maladaptive avoidance behaviour related to health (e.g. avoids medical appointments). The symptoms result in significant distress or significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning.

Diagnosis with code 6B23 contains 3 clarifying diagnoses:

1. 6B23.0 — Hypochondriasis with fair to good insight
2. 6B23.1 — Hypochondriasis with poor to absent insight
3. 6B23.Z — Hypochondriasis, unspecified

The diagnosis is coded elsewhere:

• Anxiety or fear-related disorders #5556
• Hypochondriasis #5580