HypochondriasisRachel MorelloP.2

DEFINITION• A preoccupation that physical symptoms

are signs of a serious illness, even when there is no medical evidence to support the presence of an illness

SYMPTOMS• Having a long-term intense fear or anxiety

about having a serious disease or health condition• Worrying that minor symptoms or bodily

sensations mean you have a serious illness• Seeing doctors repeated times or having

involved medical exams such as MRI, echocardiograms, or exploratory surgery• Frequently switching doctors — if one

doctor tells you that you aren't sick, you may not believe it and seek out other opinions

SYMPTOMS• Continuously talking about your symptoms

or suspected diseases with family and friends

• Obsessively doing health research• Frequently checking your body and vital

signs• Thinking you have a disease after reading

or hearing about it

CAUSE• History of physical or sexual abuse• History of having a serious illness as a

child• Poor ability to express emotions• Parent or close relative with the

disorder• Inherited susceptibility for the disorder

TREATMENT• Supportive care: In most cases, the best course of action is

for the person to stay in regular contact with a trusted health care provider, who focuses on reassuring and supporting the person, and preventing unnecessary tests and treatments

• Medications: Antidepressant or anti-anxiety drugs are sometimes used if a person with somatic symptom disorder also has a mood disorder or anxiety disorder

• Psychotherapy: (a type of cognitive counseling) may help the thinking and behavior that contribute to the symptoms and help them learn better ways to deal with stress, and improve his or her social and work functioning• Unfortunately, most people with somatic symptom disorder deny

there are any mental or emotional problems, making them fairly resistant to psychotherapy.

VIDEO• http://

mental.healthguru.com/video/what-is-hypochondria•What is Hypochondria?• (2:37)

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-Jr7ewKHY4 • SCRUBS• (1:11)

BIBLIOGRAPHY• http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/

001236.htm • http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/

hypochondria/basics/symptoms/con-20028314 • http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/

somatic_symptom_disorder#1