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PubMed · 655073

Helping the hypochondriac.

N Altman
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Abstract

Hypochondriasis can be reliably identified and requires a particular therapeutic approach by the family physician. These difficult patients are usually women over 40 with a chronic history of medical work-ups without significant findings, pride in suffering and self-sacrifice and a conviction of being ill which is essential for their self-esteem. To dismiss or confront this conviction results in a drain on medical services, while a supportive approach benefits both physician and patient.

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DepressionDiagnosis, DifferentialHumansHypochondriasisObsessive-Compulsive DisorderPsychophysiologic DisordersSyndromeTime FactorsJournal Article

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N Altman. 1978. Helping the hypochondriac.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/655073/

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