Health ministry of republic of moldova the university of medicine and pharmacy nicolae testemiţanu

Hypochondriasis Treatment 
A supportive relationship with a 
health care provider is the mainstay of treatment. There should be one 
primary provider to avoid unnecessary diagnostic tests and procedures.
 
Supportive care, psychotherapy, medicines are used in combination 
to cure this disease. Treatment with serotonin reuptake inhibitors, a class 
of antidepressants, may be effective. 
Psychotherapy usually does not work well in treating hypochon-
driasis. Cognitive-behavior therapy may also relieve symptoms. Most 
people with the disorder are not eager to see a mental health professsio-
nal. However, a savvy therapist can help the person to cope with symp-
toms rather than curing them. Doctors and therapists should take the 
physical symptoms seriously, because the symptoms are real.
The health care provider should inform the person that no organic 
disease is present, but that continued medical follow-up will help control 
the symptoms. The person with hypochondria feels real distress, so the 
symptoms should not be denied or challenged by others. 
If the person has anxiety or depression that responds to treatment 
with medication, the prognosis can be quite good. Otherwise, a person 
with hypochondriasis may be susceptible to chronic distress and functio-
nal impairment. 

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54 
Pain disorder
A disorder, in which pain in one or more anatomic sites is exclusive-
ly or predominantly caused by psychological factors, is the main focus of 
the patient's attention, and results in significant distress and dysfunction. 
Pain in one or more anatomical sites is the predominant focus of the 
clinical presentation and is of sufficient severity to warrant clinical 
attention. Psychological factors are judged to have an important role in 
the onset, severity, exacerbation, or maintenance of the pain.
Pain may show adverse effect in relationship, social, academic, 
occupational, recreational abilities or other areas of functioning.
Distress, depression, anxiety and drug abuse is occurring as a result 
of pain disorder. It is more common in women and may occur at any 
age. Pain is not false and also it is not intentionally produced. 
Pain associated with psychological factors is common in many psy-
chiatric conditions, especially mood and anxiety disorders, but in pain 
disorder, pain is the predominant complaint. Any part of the body may 
be affected, but the back, head, abdomen, and chest are probably the 
most common.
The pain causes clinically significant distress or impairment in so-
cial, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
The primary symptom of pain disorder is chronic pain for several 
months that limits a person's social, occupational, or recreational abili-
ties. 
Pain disorder may develop due to a conversion mechanism and 
some patients may have what is called a "pain-prone personality" they 
have long-standing feelings of guilt and worthlessness about themselves, 
and they chronically feel that they are in need of punishment or ato-
nement, pain gives them this.
Unfortunately, pain that is "psychological" in nature is often stigma-
tized both by medical professionals and the general public. A poor under-
standing of the connections between mind and body can lead to the mis-
perception that if pain has a psychological cause it isn't "real" and should 
be able to be controlled without medical or mental health treatment.