1. Hypochondriasis Silvia Gonzalez Psychology Period 5

2. Hypochondriasis Mental disorder characterized by excessive fear of or preoccupation with a serious illness, despite medical testing and reassurance to the contrary

3. Associated Features Overwhelming fear of suffering from a serious, even deadly disease Preoccupation despite medical evaluation negating such diseases “Doctor Shopping”/ “People Shopping” Significant distress or impairment due to preoccupation Sympathy or temporary relief as reinforcement

4. Associated Features Frequently checking vital signs Irritability Depression

5. Associated Features DSM-IV-TR Criteria A.Preoccupation with fears of having, or the idea that one has, a serous disease based on the person’s misinterpretation of bodily symptoms. B.The preoccupation persists despite appropriate medical evaluation and reassurance. C.The belief in Criterion A is not of delusional intensity(as in Delusional Disorder, Somatic Type)and it is not restricted to a circumscribed concern about appearance(as in Body Dysmorphic Disorder).

6. Associated Features D.The preoccupation causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. E.The duration of the disturbance is at least 6 months. F.The preoccupation is not better accounted for by Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, a Major Depressive Episode, Separation Anxiety, or another Somatom Disorder

7. Etiology Traumatic experiences in early childhood such as physical/sexual abuse Witnessing the death of a loved one due to illness Serious diseases during childhood and motherly protectiveness “Cardiac Cripple” in adulthood

8. Prevalence Somewhere between 1-5% of people Primary care outpatients 2-7% Equal between men and women Can develop at any age Can worsen if left untreated

9. Prognosis Chronic, lifelong illness Few, short periods of remission 60% suffer from major depression or anxiety disorders

10. Treatment Cognitive Therapy Fear as major problem rather than vulnerability to illness Behavioral Therapy Manage stress and reduce some symptoms Medications: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors Reduce stress and depression

11. References American Psychological Association.(1994). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(4thEd.). Washington D.C.:American Psychological Association. Halgin, R.P. & Whitbourne, S.K.(2005). Abnormal psychology: clinical perspectives on psychological disorders.New York, NY:McGraw-Hill Myers, D.G.(2011). Myers’ psychology for ap. New York, NY:Worth Publishers

12. Discussion Questions How does the media influence hypochondriacs? How can having a better relationship with others effect Hypochondriacs?