Description
Hypochondriasis is the preoccupation with fears of serious illness. Normal sensations or minor physical complaints are interpreted as symptoms of grave disease. Medical reassurance and even medical workups often do not allay illness fears. Hypochondriasis is associated with other psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression.
Symptoms
Symptoms include preoccupation with illness, misinterpretation of body symptoms and fear of serious illness despite medical reassurance.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A complete history and physical exam will be performed. Testing will be directed according to symptoms. Blood work and imaging studies may be ordered to exclude other potential causes of the symptoms.
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Pediatric and Adolescent Psychiatry
Workup:
A complete history and physical exam will be performed. Testing will be directed according to symptoms. Blood work and imaging studies may be ordered to exclude other potential causes of the symptoms.
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Pediatric and Adolescent Psychiatry
Treatment
Regular short visits with a primary care provider may help to decrease anxiety in these patients. Cognitive behavior therapy has been shown to improve symptoms. Some patients have been successfully treated with serotonin specific reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine or sertraline.