An extraordinary manifestation of hypochondriasis

Abstract

Hypochondriasis is described as the demonstration of excessive attention, care or fear against the physical or mental symptoms. A patient with a diagnosis of hypochondriasis is called as a hypochondriac. These patients often present with symptoms of a constant self-examination, self-diagnosis, and preoccupation with their body. Many patients with hypochondriasis reveal a disbelief and doubt in the doctors diagnosis. They also declare that doctors reassurance about the absence of a serious disease is unconvincing. Additionally, many hypochondriacs tend to visit numerous different physicians to get what they expect to hear. Although various previously reported hypochon-driasis cases exist in the everyday psychiatry practice, such extraordinary case with an extreme manifestation was never reported before. In this paper, a hypochondriasis patient who persistently admits the cardiovascular surgery department claiming to have an unnecessary heart operation is reported. Additionally, it is aimed to take this occa-sion to review the description of hypochondriasis in the light of current updates. [Anadolu Psikiyatri Derg 2018; 19(3.000): 331-333]