I think we've all been thereKAunt Velma just called again and her condition has worsened since you saw her last week in the grocery store. It's her ears this time, their ringing in harmonies now, which usually isn't a cause for concern but since that report she saw on Oprah night about the lethal combination of asbestos and children's chewable aspirin. She is sure this is got to be the big one that's gonna take her home to Uncle Hugh. Of course, upon further investigation, you finally discover that Aunt Velma is simply a victim of the bugle corp. that is practicing in the schoolyard next door.

Hypochondria is very real, most especially to those who suffer from it. In this report I plan to define hypochondria, explain the symptoms and believed

„Y Rejection of a doctor's reassurance that there is nothing seriously wrong.

Studies show between 6% and 10% of people visiting doctors may be suffering from hypochondria (Cantor and Fallon, 1997) and surprisingly experts claim that patients with symptoms for which there is no apparent cause make up the bulk at nearly 60% (NYSPI, 1996).

So let's assume that a positive diagnosis for hypochondria has been made; what should the patient do to get better? At this time, people have a lot of options (Cohen, 1997). Some feel that they can talk to their family doctor, which can prescribe medicine. However, Carla Cantor, co-author of Phantom Illness: Shattering the Myth of Hypochondria suggests that her best advice is that the patient in question should have at least one consultation with a psychiatrist (Cohen, 1997). Still though patients can consider an alternative to these recommendations such as behavior therapy, talk therapy, and other cognitive methods.

„Y Fixation on a disease that no doctor has diagnosed.

Finally, in terms of that you can do to personally support a friend or loved one who is suffering, Dr. Pies MD of Tuffs University (1997) offer these suggestions. First, don't tell the person it's just all in their head. Instead acknowledge the problem and let them know you take it seriously. At the same time, if the doctor has conveyed this to you, you can reconfirm that the doctor has expressed that they are not in any danger. Second, don't overly reinforce the complaint by pampering the individual with extra attention. Thirdly, help the individual focus on other things besides his/her bodily complaints by suggesting a walk, or seeing a movie, etc. Fourthly, give the person lots of stokes (positive feedback) when he or she is able to get out and do things and not dwell on the physical complaint.

So how does a doctor perceive hypochondria? Well Jodi S. Cohen of USA Today found in an interview with author Carla Cantor (1997) that "Doctors and hypochondria are probably t

Some common words found in the essay are:
Cantor Fallon, Aunt Velma, Carla Cantor, MD PhD, Wilhelmsen MDPhD, Tuffs University, Hypochondria Fiction, Myth Hypochondria, Abstract Hypochondria, Milligan British, cantor fallon, cantor fallon 1997, fallon 1997, warning signs, terminated formation, doctor patient, aunt velma, doctor shopping, cohen 1997, „y frequent, carla cantor,
Approximate Word count = 1346
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)