title: Helping the hypochondriac.
abstract: Hypochondriasis can be reliably identified and requires a particular therapeutic approach by the family physician. These difficult patients are usually women over 40 with a chronic history of medical work-ups without significant findings, pride in suffering and self-sacrifice and a conviction of being ill which is essential for their self-esteem. To dismiss or confront this conviction results in a drain on medical services, while a supportive approach benefits both physician and patient.
mesh_terms: D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D006998:Hypochondriasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D013577:Syndrome; D013997:Time Factors