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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

In order to
receive a DSMIV-TR diagnosis
of
hypochondriasis,
a person must
meet all six of the
following
criteria:



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.
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 treatments 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=MeYbynPtHs&feature=fvwrel
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540
/vp/38485881#38485881
Discussion Questions
 Would it be ethical to
call these people crazy
for thinking that what
they feel is something
really bad?
 What associative
learning type can
relates to
hypochondriasis?
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