Transcript Hypochondriasis - GGHS Psychology

Hypochondriasis
Period 5
Scott Kim
Peter Luong
Case Study
• A 45-year-old white
male engineer presents
to a primary care clinic
armed with multiple
internet searches on
the topic of cancer.
• He states that he “just
knows” he has a GI
cancer, "probably the
colon or maybe the
pancreas."
Definition
• excessive preoccupation or worry about
having a serious illness.
Causes
• The media and the Internet often contribute
to hypochondria, as articles, TV shows and
advertisements regarding serious illnesses
such as cancer and multiple sclerosis (some of
the diseases hypochondriacs commonly think
they have).
Treatment
• Psychological counseling
• Education about
hypochondria
• Medications. Certain
antidepressant medications.
Examples include serotonin
reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
such fluoxetine (Prozac),
fluvoxamine (Luvox) and
paroxetine (Paxil); and
tricyclic antidepressants such
as clomipramine (Anafranil)
and imipramine (Tofranil).
Facts
• Adolf Hitler was a
HYPOCHONDRIAC.
• A person with
hypochondria may
suffer for months,
and even years.
• 1% to 14% of
patients examined
for health problems,
suffer from
Hypochondria.
Reference
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypochondriasis
• http://www.mastersoftrivia.com/blog/2011/04/1
0-famous-hypochondriacs/
• http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypochondri
a/DS00841/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
• http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/290955overview
• http://www.bipolarcentral.com/otherillnesses/hy
pochondria.php