Hypochondria spike
May 5, 2010
ACCORDING to researchers at
Monash University, around one in
five Australians suffer from
hypochondria, a condition which
places “excess and avoidable stress”
on the health system every year.
Based on analysis from the 2007
Mental Health Survey, the
researchers found that around
4.2% of Aussies in 2006 presented
to their GPs with symptoms of
hypochondriasis and 5.7% suffered
hypochondriasis over their lifetime.
“Most people who have had it,
have had it in the last 12 months,”
said lead researcher Professor
David Clarke.
He said that around 20% of all
patients presenting to GPs are
somatisers (related to hypochondria
but where patients turn mental
distress into a physical symptom)
and this level rises dramatically - to
60% - for patients who suffer
depression or anxiety.
Both hypochondria and
somatisation are easily treated,
with cognitive behavioural therapy,
he added.
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