Hypochondria

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Prevention

By Mayo Clinic staff

Because there's no known cause of hypochondria, there's no known particular way to prevent it. However, early recognition and treatment can reduce the impact on your life. Also, if you have a child who has a relative or classmate with a serious illness, it may help to talk openly to your child about any concerns or fears he or she has about illness.

References
  1. Hypochondriasis. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association, 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Oct. 28, 2008.
  2. Oyama O, et al. Somatoform disorders. American Family Physician. 2007;76(9):1333-1338.
  3. Abramowitz JS, et al. Hypochondriasis: Conceptualization, treatment, and relationship to obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychiatric Clinics of North America 2006;29:503-519.
  4. Bouman TK, et al. A psychoeducational approach to hypochondriasis: Background, content, and practice guidelines. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice. 2008;15:231-243.
  5. Thomson AB, et al. Psychotherapies for hypochondriasis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2007:CD006520.
  6. Harding KJ, et al. Advances in understanding illness anxiety. Current Psychiatry Reports. 2008;10:311-317.
  7. Greenberg DB, et al. Somatization disorder. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 10, 2008.

DS00841

Nov. 25, 2008

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