Hypochondriacal psychoses: a long-term follow-up.
From a large series of delusional subjects 23 patients demonstrated hypochondriacal delusions as the main delusion during the long-term course of approximately 30 years. An extensive study of these cases reveals that the majority had abnormal premorbid personality, especially somatization, paranoid and/or avoidant traits. Previous and/or precipitating somatic illnesses, if present, were not very serious. The hypochondriacal preoccupation diminished in the long term, but the overall prognosis varied, as the patients did not belong to a uniform diagnostic category. Implications for the clinician in diagnosing and treating are discussed, and the importance of early detection of correct diagnostic category is stressed.
Opjordsmoen
S
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Department of Behavioural Sciences in Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000341:Affective Disorders, Psychotic / Q000523:psychology; D003702:Delusions / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006998:Hypochondriasis / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010260:Paranoid Personality Disorder / Q000150:complications; D011379:Prognosis; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology