Interactive typology of the hypochondriacal patient.
Many authors agree on the idea that the affective and behavioural characteristic of a certain type of family encourages the use of the body as a primary means of communication with others. This way of communicating has usually been acquired during childhood and later, in the adult life, it appears again in the different social contests. Some authors like Alby, Levy, Baker, Parker, Lipscombe, Marcelli, Bianchi and others focus on this type of family interaction and the single characteristic of the personalities of each family member. These authors describe some relationship patterns used by hypochondriac patient such as: avoiding unpleasant situations, blaming others, adopt a sick-role as a way of controlling the relationship between existential events and somatic symptoms; relationship with physicians and the need to confirm her/himself.
Verdecchia
L
L
1a Clinica Psichiatrica, Università degli Studi La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
Alliani
D
D
Piro
A
A
Preziosa
P
P
Loriedo
C
C
Vella
G
G
D001007:Anxiety; D002965:Classification; D003291:Conversion Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D006998:Hypochondriasis / Q000523:psychology*; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012803:Sick Role