Obsessive compulsive disorder with associated hypochondriasis

doi:10.1136/bmj.39555.608252.AD

BMJ 2008;336:1070-1071 (10 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.39555.608252.AD

Practice

A Patient’s Journey

Obsessive compulsive disorder with associated hypochondriasis

Pamela Harrington, patient¹

¹ North Nesting, Armathwaite CA4 9PB pam.harrington@virgin.net

Pamela Harrington developed obsessive compulsive disorder withassociated hypochondriasis 24 years ago. Eventually, a sympatheticand patient general practitioner enabled her to manage her condition

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

I’ve seen it in their eyes. "Oh, God, not her again. I’vegot a waiting room full of patients and she’s back. Iwonder what it is this time. I’ve told her a thousandtimes there’s nothing wrong with her. Why doesn’tshe trust me? I’m the doctor. What does she know? Beenlooking stuff up on the internet again, I suppose."

If only he would look into my eyes. Why can’t he see thatthis fear is destroying me? Why does he make me feel like anaughty child in the headmaster’s study? Why can’the see that I am an intelligent woman? Why doesn’t hewant to help me? Why can’t he see that the real illnessis in my mind?

I am a hypochondriac. I know I am a hypochondriac. Actually,no. I suffer from hypochondriasis. It sounds better. I alsosuffer from obsessive compulsive disorder. It . . . [Full text of this article]