Are Munchausen and Hypochondria Really Black and White?

Hi everyone,
When I was younger I used to jump from psychologist to psychologist trying to find someone who could help me. I felt like there was something profoundly wrong with me - that I suffered from some form of mental illness. Finally, last year, I was diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder and Hypochondriasis.

Like most hypochondriacs I think there is something wrong with me most of the time - although I like to think I am a little more reasonable when it comes to what I think is wrong. (Wishful thinking.) I don't think that when I have a headache that I have a tumor. I DID guess, after some of my own research that I had mitral valve prolapse.

When I think I have something wrong, I exaggerate my symptoms. If I feel a little twinge of a headache, I turn it into a migraine - for example. If I'm being painfully honest, I am aware that I am exaggerating.
When I found out I had a 'mental illness', I felt relief and a little excitement.
I milk any attention I get for all it's worth, before it becomes too obvious that I am better.
I enjoy being at the doctor's office and I like when I'm coddled and exceptions are made for my 'issue'.
I also like waking up from surgery.
I don't induce my illnesses any way other than psychosomatically.

I visited my psychologist today and told him this.
He agreed that I exhibit symptoms of both munchausen's and hypochondriasis.

So, does it sound like I do? Or is this just plain old hypochondria?

I don't think that when I have a headache that I have a tumor. I DID guess, after some of my own research that I had mitral valve prolapse.

Yes, this sounds like hypochondria.

I don't induce my illnesses any way other than psychosomatically.

You're still consciously making an illness worse, so yes, you show symptoms of Munchausen.

As far as I understand it, if you make an illness worse compulsively, and you feel no control over this action, then you may well have Munchausen syndrome.

If you make an illness worse at will, but can choose not to, I don't think you have Munchausen. That's plain ole self-harm for attention. (I'm not berating you; I'm just stating the difference.)

Hope it clarifies things for you. Remember, I'm not a professional, and I could be wrong--but that's how I see it.

--Frayed