Hypochondriasis

1. Hypochondriasis Candice Rodriguez

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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. • The belief or fear of illness must not be of delusional intensity. Delusional health fears are more likely to be bizarre in nature— for instance, the belief that one's skin emits a foul odor or that food is rotting in one's intestines. The preoccupations must not be limited to a concern about appearance; excessive concerns that focus solely on defects in appearance would receive a diagnosis of body dysmorphic disorder. • The preoccupation must have lasted for at least six months. • The person's preoccupation with illness must not simply be part of the presentation of another disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, separation anxiety, major depressive episode, or another somatoform disorder. In order to receive a DSM-IV-TRdiagnosis of hypochondriasis, a person must meet all six of the following criteria:

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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

10. Discussion Questions • What associative learning type can relates to hypochondriasis? • Would it be ethical to call these people crazy for thinking that what they feel is something really bad?

11. 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