Mental Illness

One of the most frequently seen somatoform patterns is Hypochondriasis, which is characterized by multiple complaints about possible physical illness where no evidence of such illness can be found. They express a preoccupation with health matters and unrealistic fears of disease. Although hypochondriacal people repeatedly seek medical advice, their fears are not in the least lessened by doctor’s reassurance.
Individual with this disorder may complain of uncomfortable and peculiar sensations in the area of the stomach, chest, head, genitals or anywhere else in the body. The mental orientation of these individual keeps them constantly alert for new symptoms.

Hypochondriacal patients are avid reader of popular magazines on medical topics and are apt to feel certain that they are suffering from every new disease they read or hear about. They are major consumers of remedies touted in ads as being able to heal. These individuals readily diagnose tuberculosis, cancer, exotic infections and numerous other diseases. Such individuals are sure they are seriously ill and cannot recover.