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Suggest Treatment For Hypochondria

Posted on Wed, 21 May 2014

Question: hello doctor i need help. For the past year and a half i have been suffering from very bad hypochondria. I have been jumping around from one disease to another, some more imaginary than others. for example i have made the mistake of seeking out prostitutes only later to be worried about STD's even though i always used protection. i have also worried about liver damage after a suicide attempt long time ago using tylenol overdose and i have also worried about vocal cord damage, loss hearing and now more recently i am worrying about hiv again as i have seen another prostitute. this time however i don't want to get and hiv test because i know that my mind is just exaggerating things. in the past i have gotten tested for other prostitutes thinking that my worried would go away but immediately after testing for hiv my mind would begin to worry about other STD's and never stop. that's why i don't want to give in to my irrationality and get tested. there have been times when i have really believed my illness concerns to the point where suicide thoughts have run through my mind. i need help i don't know what to do anymore, i am in a really dark place. somedays i am fine as i fight my madness by convincing myself that i don't have hiv but other days it just overtakes me like a flood. this is a cry for help!

Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
It needs medical help

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for choosing health care magic for posting your query.
I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.
Your illness appears to be hypochonriasis bordering on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) OCD is a very common illness and effects many. It can be mild and some times unrecognizable and sometimes it can be severe like in your case. You would be surprised to hear but OCD thoughts of HIV have become very common these days and I have seen atleast 6 such cases in last 2 months. You certainly need to be treated for OCD. Although there are plenty of options available like clonil, fluoxetine, escitalopram, fluvoxamine, sertraline etc my best option for my patients is fluoxetine in higher dosages.
Also there is an option of cognitive behavioural therapy. This therapy is taken by either a psychologist or a psychiatrist in which the therapist identifies impaired cognitions (Thoughts) and try to correct them. They are 15-20 min weekly session and there should be around 8-10 sessions to help you with your illness.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.

Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy

Wish you good health,
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Srikanth Reddy (17 days later)

thank you doctor. from a psychological point of view, do you think i am doing the right thing by choosing not to test for hiv? the reason i don't want to test is because i know that the results will be negative, because i used protection, and i don't want to give any more power to my OCD. however as illogical as it may sound i still find myself constantly worrying from time to time that i might have become infected, even though i used protection.

Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (2 days later)

Brief Answer:
It would be better not to get tested

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Psychologically, yes, it would be wise not to get tested again. If the symptoms are worrying you so much then you may try fluoxetine 40mg -60mg which will help in reducing these intrusive thoughts and make you feel better.
Regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Srikanth Reddy (15 hours later)

thank you doctor, yes i do feel a lot better when i choose to fight instead of giving in. is there any type of over the counter medicine that i can buy?

Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (2 days later)

Brief Answer:
No OTC

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Unfortunately none of of the psychotropic medicines are available OTC.
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Srikanth Reddy (4 days later)

hi doctor im still putting up the fight, some days are good some are bad. i seem to have become bipolar over this issue. is it possible that eventually the OCD will go away and i will be able to move on with my life?

Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Both are treatable

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Both OCD and bipolar disorder are treatable. have patience and keep continuing the medicines regularly.
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Srikanth Reddy (16 hours later)

i am not taking any medications. do you think its possible to beat this without them. i dont want to take them.

Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (36 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No

Detailed Answer:
Hello
OCD is a complicated illness and it is not possible to treat it by self control or merely by counselling. You need to take medicines. Likewise for bipolar disorder also.
Regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj