Hypochondriasis

Alternative names:

hypochondria; hypochondriacal neurosis

Symptoms:

• preoccupation with fear of illness
• persistent fear of having a serious illness despite medical reassurance
• misinterpretation of symptoms
• symptoms may shift and change
• symptoms may be vague or specific
• no apparent physical disorder that can account for symptoms
• disturbance lasts for at least 6 months (24 weeks)
• the fear may be recognized by the affected person as excessive or unreasonable, he (she) may acknowledge the possibility that the fear of having a serious disease is unfounded

Signs and tests:

A physical examination should be performed to rule out underlying organic disease, but invasive diagnostic tests should be minimized. A psychological evaluation should be performed to rule out other related disorders.