"The Rise of Hypochondria" discusses this growing problem and new treatments. For the tens of thousands of Americans who suffer from hypochondria, every headache is a brain tumor and every cold is cancer. They believe that any symptom will lead to a serious disease. Dr. Arthur Barsky, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard, estimates that 5% to 12% of patients who see doctors every year are hypochondriacs. Billions are spent on unnecessary doctor's visits. The problem has grown so large that the National Institutes of Health has funded a five-year study to compare the efficacy of treatments. Anyone can develop hypochondria. For example, a childhood illness or a death of a loved one can trigger it. Cognitive therapy and Prozac can help reduce symptoms within 12 weeks. Cognitive therapy teaches patients how to counter panicky thoughts. If a patient complains of a backache, Dr. Barsky will ask the patient what it could be besides a tumor. Writing down alternative scenarios can be calming.

This article relates to chapter 14, page 571. Hypochondriasis is the new term for hypochondria. It's a type of somatoform disorder. This is not considered an anxiety disorder due to the worry about illness being the distinguishing feature of this disorder.

Healthystyle March/April 2010, Lynn Schnurnberger