Illness anxiety disorder, which is formerly known as hypochondriasis, is among the more difficult, more challenging, and most complex psychiatric disorders to treat in the general medical setting. On the basis of many new developments in this field, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) has revised diagnostic criteria to facilitate clinical care and research.
As with all psychiatric disorders, illness anxiety disorder demands creative, rich biopsychosocial treatment planning by a team that includes primary care physicians, subspecialists, and mental health professionals. Although formal outcome studies have not been conducted, one third of patients with illness anxiety disorder are believed to eventually improve significantly. A good prognosis appears to be associated with high socioeconomic status, treatment-responsive anxiety or depression, the absence of a personality disorder, and the absence of a related nonpsychiatric medical condition. Most children are believed to recover by adolescence or early adulthood, but empiric studies have not been carried out.
How much do you know about the characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment for this condition? Test your knowledge with this short quiz.
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Cite this: Stephen Soreff. Fast Five Quiz: Are You Prepared to Treat Patients With Illness Anxiety Disorder? - Medscape - May 01, 2018.
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