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Healthinmind/Mental Health Disorders/Somatoform Disorders Hypochondriasis (HC) is somewhat akin to Somatization Disorder, but the two emphasize different features of the symptoms. For the person with Somatization Disorder, the symptom's the thing; something must be done about the symptom itself. For the person with HC, the symptom has a deeper meaning; the chest pain is a sign of a heart attack, every wart is cancerous, every cold a sign of drug-resistant tuberculosis. Thus the prime symptom of HC is preoccupation with fears of having a serious disease. Medical explanations do not remove the fears, although the beliefs of a person with HC are not so strong that they would be called delusional. The diagnosis has the usual general requirements; in this case the required duration is 6 months, there must not be a better diagnosis, and the HC must cause significant distress or impairment. Although HC is not terribly widespread in the general population, about 5% of physicians' time is spent with people with hypochondriasis. Treatment by sympathetic physicians and by cognitive-behavioral therapists can bring about remission or reduction of anxiety in a considerable number of patients; without treatment, the condition is almost certainly permanent. It contributes significantly to the costs of medical services and to the suffering of the patient with HC, who over a lifetime will endure many needless tests and even operations.
You can go to a directory of web sites on hypochondriasis and other disorders.. Another useful link may be Hypochondriasis
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