title: Hypochondria: the worried well.
abstract: Approximately 13% of physician visits are for medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS), and up to 25% of patients report MUPS during visits to the doctor. Most of these patients' symptoms abate. But approximately 5% of patients are convinced they have a serious disease, although no problem can be diagnosed; these individuals are considered to be individuals with hypochondria. Estimates indicate they consume at least 10% of health care dollars and frustrate health care professionals. Treatment is possible, but paradoxical in nature. Clinicians must accept that the patient's concerns are real, and respect the patient's psychological defenses.
authors.affiliation: National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Jeannette Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Wick
authors.forename: Guido R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Zanni
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology; D005239:Fear; D006801:Humans; D006998:Hypochondriasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy