Hypochondriasis

CANDICE RODRIGUEZ
 Definition

 Hypochondria is a type Somatoform disorder where

a person interprets normal physical feelings as a
symptoms of a disease.
 Somatoform patients are sent to
physicians.
 Associated Features

 A person with Hypochondria believe they have a

serious illness when in reality they do not.
 These patients do not fake or lie about what they feel,
they just exaggerate and really believe they are sick.
Associated Features

 When a hypochondriac
patient hears about
there symptoms being
an illness, they
automatically think
they have it, and any
doctors’ opinion will
not matter.
  The person must be preoccupied with the notion or
fear of having a serious disease. This preoccupation is
based on misinterpretation of physical symptoms or
sensations.
 Appropriate medical evaluation and reassurance that
there is no illness present do not eliminate the
preoccupation.
In order to
 The belief or fear of illness must not be of delusional
receive a DSM- intensity. Delusional health fears are more likely to be
bizarre in nature— for instance, the belief that one's
IV-TR diagnosis skin emits a foul odor or that food is rotting in one's
of intestines. The preoccupations must not be limited to
a concern about appearance; excessive concerns that
hypochondriasis, focus solely on defects in appearance would receive a
diagnosis of body dysmorphic disorder.
a person must  The preoccupation must have lasted for at least six
meet all six of the months.
following  The person's preoccupation with illness must not
simply be part of the presentation of another disorder,
criteria: including generalized anxiety disorder ,
obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder,
separation anxiety, major depressive episode, or
another somatoform disorder.
 Etiology

 Researchers say that distressing life events in

childhood is what may set the stage of this disorder
later in adulthood.
 Sympathy or temporary relief from
something distressing may reinforce
the complaint of these symptoms.
 Prevalence

 This can occur at any time of life.

 It often begins in early adulthood however it is long-
awaited randomized
 It is equally common to both male and female.
 Treatment

 For this disorder there is no special treatment

because it is a illness that is not existed.
 But to help patients cope with their disorder is by
helping them live and function as normally as
possible.
 They are treated with
psychotherapy and drugs.
 At this time these treat-
ments have not been so
successful.
 Prognosis

Hypochondria over time can become worst and lead to serious

depression.

However if people with this disorder are taking the appropriate

means to manage the disorder then within 8 – 12 weeks the
hypochondriasis can get better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeYbyn-
PtHs&feature=fvwrel

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540
/vp/38485881#38485881
 Discussion Questions

 Would it be ethical to  What associative

call these people crazy learning type can
for thinking that what relates to
they feel is something hypochondriasis?
really bad?
 Reference

 Halgin, R.P,Whitbourne, S.K (2005). Abnormal

psychology: clinical perspectives on psychological
disorders. New York, NY: McGraw Hill.

 Fishleder, A.J, Rother, D.A, (2010). Diseases &

conditions : hypochondriasis. Retrieved from
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/hypochond
riasis/hic_hypochondriasis.aspx

 Eisner, Robin (1995). Prozac: on trial for

hypochondria. Retrieved from
http://junc.cumc.columbia.edu/psjournal/archives/
jour_v15n2_0002.html#top