Contrasting patterns in the relationship between hypochondriasis and narcissism.
This paper investigates the relationship of hypochondriasis to narcissism, starting from the theoretical exposition of hypochondriasis as a disorder, which mainly results from a pervasive sense of 'inner badness' and the associated mistrust in one's own worth, and in bodily worth in particular. Narcissistic personality organization is regarded as one of the modes of adjustment to the primary and 'undifferentiated' hypochondriacal experiences, and aspects of narcissistic development are described along the contrasting patterns that lead to clinical hypochondriasis. The main differences between the patterns can be found in the features and the outcome of the premorbid (pre-hypochondriacal) narcissistic functioning, presence of the accompanying emotional disturbances (anxiety, dysphoria, anger), and the 'purposive background' of hypochondriasis in relation to the narcissistic personality organization.
Starcević
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Department of Psychiatry, Clinical and Hospital Centre Dr Dragisa Misovic, Belgrade University Faculty of Medicine, Beograd, Yugoslavia.
D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006998:Hypochondriasis / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009289:Narcissism