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Hypochondria
Nati Gutierrez
Psychology
Period 3
Definition
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Hypochondria is a
condition in which a
person believes that he
or she is ill without
actually being ill.
(worries about
becoming ill that it
affects his/her life)
Somatoform Disorder
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Is a mental disorder is developed by certain
physical symptoms such as physical
illness or injuries.
Some cannot even be explained fully by a
general medical condition,. panic disorder
Builds up to mental factors. In people who
have a somatoform disorder, medical test
results are either normal or do not explain the
person's symptoms.
Example
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A headache might lead
a hypochondria
man/women to infer
that they have a brain
tumor.
Later medical attention
a.s.a.p.
Might lead them into
depression
Association features
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lack of ability
Frustration
Anger
Impatient
Fear – aging
Physical health such as healthy diets, regular exercise
Bitter nails
Coarse facial features
Pale or dry skin
Swelling of the arms and legs
Thin dry hair
DSM-IV-TR
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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.
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.
Etiology
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Any preoccupation with fear of disease must
cause a great deal of distress or interfere with
a person's ability to perform important
activities, such as work, school activities, or
family and social responsibilities.
Misinterpretation into a bodily sick/disease
symptoms.
Prevalence
In general population is
- 1 % to 5%
Among primary care out patients, estimate from
- 2% to 7%
Treatments
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Difficult to treat
Cognitive and
behavioral treatments
have demonstrated
effectiveness in
reducing the symptoms
More positive
occupations and family
counseling
(reinforcement)
Prognosis
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Is common is females,
but both genders at any
age most likely in their
early adulthood.
References
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Halgin, R.P. & WhitBourne, S.K (2005). Abnormal psychology:
clinical perspective on psychological disorders. New York, NY:
McGraw-hill.
InteliHealth: The Trusted Source. (2008, October 17). Diseases and
conditoin mental health. Retrieved from
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/8271/25759/187979
.html?d=dmtHealthAZ
National institution of health . (2010, April 19). Medlineplus trusted
health information.. Retrieved from
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000353.htm
Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders . (2012). Hypochondriasis.
Retrieved from http://www.minddisorders.com/FluInv/Hypochondriasis.html#b%23ixzz1sRNO9CGC
Discussion questions??
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What would fit the best to a solution,
classical learning, operant learning or
observational learning, why?
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+ - Reinforcement
+ - Punishment
Etc.
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