A Family Doctor's Tale - HYPOCHONDRIASIS

DOC I HAVE HYPOCHONDRIASIS

Hypochondriasis is a neurotic disorder with excessive concern about health in general. Hypochondriacs believe that they are sick when they are really not sick even after a thorough medical examination shows no evidence of medical illness.

Hypochondriacs are overly obsessed with their health.

Concern about symptoms of alleged disease may have obsessive
quality.

The hypochondriacs are usually unable to control their thoughts about their symptoms.


Hydrochondriasis  occurs equally in both males and females and may be associated with anxiety and depression.

There is resistance to negative medical examination.

Usually there is no organic basis for the patient's symptoms.

Often there is a history of familial predisposition which may suggest inherited condition.

Early development factor such as parental and sexual abuse may predispose to this condition.

The condition usually starts in middle age although it may occur in children.


Diagnosis:
1.Preoccupation about health


2.Inappropriate concern about minor symptoms believed to be symptoms of serious illnesses like cancer,  heart disease or venereal disease


3.Failure of reassurance from family, friends or doctors by repeated negative examinations


4.Insistance that some factor has been overlooked or undiscovered in the medical examination


5.Involved frequently with diet and exercise fads


6.Neurological and psychiatric assessment of the patient to reassure him or her regarding her health

Complications:

1.Frequent medical examinations and changes of doctors to find the cause of their "illness" or symptoms

2.Anxiety, depression or panic attacks whenever symptoms occurs

3.Loss of time from work through searching for medical treatment and alternative medicines to get their symptoms cured




Treatment:
1.Psychotherapy -

a psychologist who can talk to the patient, make the patient understand his or her fear of illness, help to recognize when the symptoms are worse and how to cope with them


2.Behavior therapy

Behavior therapy can help the patient analyze his behavior sometimes even to the extent that their fear is irrational or unfounded.

They can be made to recognize that their symptoms are not indicative of a serious illness.

They should try to a live a healthy lifestyle and not persist in worrying about their condition.

They may keep themselves active by doing mild physical exercises or learn to relax through meditation , yoga or even prayers.


3.Medicine for anxiety and depression


Antidepressant especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can control their thoughts of illness and reduce their obsession with the symptoms


Prognosis:
1.Poor to fair because there will always be new symptoms and doubts of their health


2.Recurrence of  multiple complaints for which medical attention has been sought with negative results