Dr Sonali ShahSarnobat
BHMS MD CGOCFN,
Dr. Sarnobat'S Holistic Healthcare & Homeopathic Research Centre
Amar empire, IInd Floor, Goaves Circle
Belgaum Karnataka 590006
India
Geetika, aged 40 was a regular at our clinic. She was more informed about medical aspects than even the doctors themselves, perhaps! She habitually searched for diseases and treatments on the internet. That was not all, the moment she heard of a new ailment, she found the symptoms in herself! She skipped a heart attack every two months, she got sneezes when she watched about swine flu on TV , so much so that one felt if she would get infected from the TV itself. A good five to six folders overflew when a host of doctors were consulted and a battery of tests conducted for her. She would rattle details about which test was performed for which symptom, what was the report and what medicines were prescribed and which doctor knew how much about his profession. One could easily find all the information about virtually every pathy's practioner in the city with her. Jokes apart, one can find such a whimsical person in all of us. This whim surfaces every now and then. When it turns extreme, it becomes a disorder which is known as Hypochondriasis. The prevalence of this disorder is increasing of late. The medical profession may take undue advantage of such patients.
Hypochondriasis – This is symbolized by exaggerated worries about one's health. The patient keeps complaining about his health and feels that he suffers from some incurable disease. Even when confronted with normal reports, he keeps denying being normal. He does not get convinced even when told by a doctor. A total of 5 to 10 % of all patients fall in this category which has equal proportions of men and women. It is observed to increase with old age.
Reasons- Gloomy childhood, lowliness, the feeling of being dejected by society, loneliness, loss in life, financial strain all these emotional factors leads to inferiority complex, evilness, short tempered nature and guilt complex takes root and develops into some form of hypochondriasis.
Symptoms– Heart and digestive problems are more common as symptoms. It is natural for such patients to be over sensitive and melodramatic in their behavior. They confidently claim that they have all the symptoms of even diseases like cancer. At such times, it is important to conduct all the necessary tests. Apart from that, one has to give a thought to the depression, schizophrenia, worrying nature among other symptoms.
Treatment – It is an art in itself to treat such patients. It is only Homeopathy which is considered both an art and a science. Counseling the patient and overall progressing on his side is extremely challenging. Only Homeopathy has the medicines to treat hypochondriasis completely. It is, however, important to consult expert and experienced doctors.
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