Living with a hypochondriac?

Question

I've just been doing some online searching re hypochondria, which has been infomative. Now, I'd like to hear what others have to say about living with a hypochondriac. How do/did you cope with it? How can you get someone like this to the Dr (I understand it is 'psychosomatic' and that treatment is psychotherapy). I'm about to lose my own sanity (some days are worse than others) listening to all the health complaints (I've tried doing online searches about some of the 'conditions' my friend 'has' and tried to walk her through logical explanations, but she's only interested in going to the Dr and trying all manner of treatments...) At the moment, we're roommates for the sake of convenience, but I really don't think I can take a lot more of this! Some days it is, literally, morning to night... I'd be interested in hearing how others have dealt with this. Thanks!

If there is a good site you know, could you please include it? I've mostly been in the Mayo clinic site. Thanks!

have been trying to add details and have been having trouble with my browser... hope you're still out there! A big part of the prob is that we are not in N Amer and there is no primary care physician involved. I'm working on how to either 1) get her back to the Dr 'at home' or 2) get a Dr here- but that is tricky as she's not 'stuck' with any 1 Dr for any length of time so far. Also, she doesn't see MD's but homeopaths... she really is a friend or I wouldn't even bother...

So I guess I really am interested in knowing how to cope, at this point. And, yes, I do try to not respond to the daily crises.

Answer 1

I think that her primary doctor needs to take some responsibility here.

He should also be looking for psychological, not just physical reasons for her issues.

Often, these people are suffering...they feel what they say they feel. But those ailments can be related to depression--which is treatable with meds and psychotherapy.

Does she go to the same doctor regularly? If so, he really needs to evaluate her number of visits and ailments as well.

Here are a couple of sites that might be helpful--on is from Medline and the National Institute of Health (NIH).

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001236.htm

The other is a self test that you might be able to convince her to take.

http://www.uib.no/med/avd/med_a/gastro/wilhelms/whiteley.html

Answer 2

Easy - tell her to go the doctor. There's something wrong if the doctor does not pick up the real issue pretty soon. What's harder to deal with is that the complaints seem to be motivated by attention-seeking, so she's in your face all the time with new 'illnesses'. Maybe stop rewarding her behavior by researching the illnesses for her, trying to reassure her and so on. She can do that research herself.

Answer 3

Many times,people who say they are hyprochondriacs , only WANT you to believe that's what they are. This is their door to M. D.'s and their prescription pads. They are very manipulative, and often can get their way. I know expert hypos. and they are very adept at obtaining scripts from several pharmacies and Doctors. In reality, most of them are addicts, and engage in re-sales activity. Hardly any of them actually suffer from what they complain so loudly about. Sit back and really watch, there isn't any thing wrong. They adore the sympathy of anyone who'll give it. I have lived with it and seen it with my very eyes....

Answer 4

First off...STOP FEEDING THE MONSTER! What I mean is stop humoring her, you are only playing into her hands. I would definitly look for another place to live and leave no forwarding address. Hypos need to be told what they are and that usually jerks them to reality but not for good, they have short memories. Your best bet is to clearly, get away from her.

Answer 5

http://www.minddisorders.com/Flu-Inv/Hypochondriasis.html