Abstract

TORALES, Julio. Help me doctor, I'm very sick! An update on the classic hypochondria to the current illness anxiety disorder. Rev. virtual Soc. Parag. Med. Int. [online]. 2017, vol.4, n.1, pp.77-86. ISSN 2312-3893.  https://doi.org/10.18004/rvspmi/2312-3893/2017.04(01)77-086.

The fundamental characteristic of illness anxiety disorder (formerly known as hypochondria) is the concern not for the symptoms, but for the patient's belief that he or she is suffering from a disease. This belief, based on a misinterpretation of bodily signs and sensations, generates intense clinical discomfort in the patient, with marked dysfunction of his or her daily activities, and with an exaggerated use of health resources.

The patient visits several medical services and is attended by many health professionals, including internal medicine specialists, family medicine physicians and psychiatrists, nevertheless, the belief of ​​being sick persists despite adequate medical evaluation and reassurance. Sometimes, medical attention results in a paradoxical increase in anxiety, without overlooking the possibility of complications arising from tests and diagnostic procedures to which the patient is subjected. Affected patients are frustrated and dissatisfied with the medical care they receive and they find it useless, feeling that doctors do not give them proper attention.

Based on the above, this review article updates the concept, etiopathogenesis, clinical signs and symptoms and diagnosis of illness anxiety disorder, as well as the principles governing its treatment.

Keywords : illness anxiety disorder; hypochondria; diagnosis; treatment..

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