title: [Use of medical inpatient services by heavy users: a case of hypochondriasis].
abstract: Hypochondriasis is defined by ICD-10 and DSM-IV through the persistent preoccupation with the possibility of having one or more serious and progressive physical disorders. Patients suffering from hypochondriasis can be responsible for a high utilization of mental health system services. Data have shown that "Heavy User" require a disproportionate part of inpatient admissions and mental health budget costs. We assume that a psychotherapeutic approach, targeting a cognitive behavioral model in combination with neuropsychopharmacological treatment is useful. In our case report we present the "Heavy Using-Phenomenon" based on a patient hospitalized predominantly in neurological inpatient care facilities. From a medical point of view we want to point out to possible treatment errors, on the other hand we want to make aware of financial-socioeconomic factors leading to a massive burden on the global mental health budget.
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Universität Wien, 1090, Wien, Österreich, peter.hoefer@meduniwien.ac.at.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Höfer
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ossege
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aigner
mesh_terms: D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006801:Humans; D006998:Hypochondriasis; D007297:Inpatients; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data