You have a 43-year-old female patient who frequently schedules appointments following a popular medical show and is concerned that she has the diagnoses highlighted on the show, despite not having physical symptoms that match the diagnoses she discussed. What is likely the cause of her appointment?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This patient's behavior suggests hypochondria, which is a condition where a person is excessively worried about having a serious illness, despite not having physical or objective evidence of the illness. It is also sometimes referred to as illness anxiety disorder. Compulsion or megalomania are unlikely, and anxiety disorder alone would not fully explain the patient's behavior.

You Have a 43-Year-Old Female Patient Who Frequently Schedules Appointments