In an age where you can go to your doctor and get a prescription for "restless leg syndrome" or "chronic fatigue syndrome" or "syndrome syndrome" you would think that the pharmaceutical companies would work to find a drug to give people that have proven hypochondria. Some kind of psychological drug that would supress the part of the brain that causes psychosomatic symptoms.
Just wondering... and, no, this isn't a "joke" question. I have a friend who is a serious hypochondriac and would probably benefit from such a drug.
How would this be prescribed? You would think a doctor would have to "trick" a patient and tell them it's for something else that they've come complaining about.
2007-05-04 08:43:04 · 4 answers · asked by Some Lady 6 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
True hypochondriasis is extremely rare. Most 'cases' are actually people with real physiological dysfunctions that their doctors have not been able to figure out.
In those very rare people with this disorder, no one knows the 'cause' or the underlying biochemical abnormalities.
Note: CFS, RLS, FMS, IBS and all 'syndromes' are called syndromes because the underlying cause(s) is not known. Syndrome is the medical term used for a group of signs and symptoms that lacks a well understood etiology (cause). So, drugs that 'treat' RLS do NOT TREAT RLS, they only mask the symptoms.
2007-05-04 09:13:05 · answer #1 · answered by Doctor J 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Currently there are people working on a pill that will sooth the part of the brain that makes hypochondris happen, but they are far away from their goal, they have to make sure it works, there are minimal side-effects, and that people can't get "high" off the drug. At the moment Doctors prescribe a placibo which is most of the time a simple pill of sugar, this tricks the brain into thinkign that it is alright. You yourself can get a couple of tylenol (depending on the age) And shave off a bit to make it seem different shaped, and give it to her, tellign her it should help.
2007-05-04 08:56:58 · answer #2 · answered by Brian 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My thought is that with good CBT (cognitive behavorial therapy), perhaps meds for OCD and maybe a mild anti-anxiety med for a while you can over-come this. Xanax is pretty addictive with long-term use, but you can have a doctor switch that with something else after a short spell without becoming dependent on either. (Like Xanax for a few weeks, then Ativan.) Maybe it will help to study on HIV as well, so you can concentrate on the risks you DON'T have & such. (Knowledge is powerful!) It wouldn't hurt to be tested regularly either, just for reassurance--but that gets expensive. Best of luck to you!
2016-05-20 07:10:56 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its called a placibo... or maybe they could put someone on a anxiety drug, I would think that would help... Doctors are not allowed to "trick" patients unless they have concented to an experament. Doctors must be completely honest with you and let you know their plan of action and what is going on. Cognitive therapy would be good for a hypochondrac
2007-05-04 08:49:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋