Hypochondriasis is a disorder characterized by a preoccupation with bodily functions and a big fear that one is suffering from serious disease. Somatic complaints are an expression of the belief that some organic disease is present.
This patients complains of a wide variety of body symptoms, most commonly in the chest, head and bowel.They describes them with specific details respect to location, quality and duration. The complains are usually not associated with abnormal physical finding.
In Hypochondriasis the patient’s distress is exaggerated and he is resistant to logical reassurance.
Hypochondriacal symptoms are frequently associated with Depression and disappear when the affective disorder is relieved.
(Edited by Dr. María Moya Guirao, MD)