The treatment of hypochondriasis has traditionally been difficult. Where it is secondary to another condition it usually resolves with treatment of the primary disorder. For example, hypochondriasis, which is secondary to depression, will usually resolve when the depression is successfully treated. Recognition and early diagnosis are important. Reassurance, combined with a serious appraisal of symptoms and an explanation of psychological factors may then be effective. It is not enough simply to tell the patient that there is nothing wrong. It is important to acknowledge the patient's distress and provide an alternative model, introducing psychological factors. A dismissive attitude that "it is all in your head" is counterproductive. Management regimes based on regular brief appointments with one key doctor and avoiding admission to hospital are useful. They have been found greatly to improve physical functioning and cut costs on investigations and hospital admissions by one third.
As it is pointed out in the passage, when hypochondriasis is a secondary condition ___.
hospital treatment is usually called for
it may become increasingly serious when a primary disorder yields to treatment
it is harder to treat than when it is the primary one
it can be disregarded altogether
it is likely to clear up of its own accord when the primary one has been successfully treated
The passage suggests that a patient with hypochondriasis ___.
can be convinced that he is in good health if a number of tests are taken, all with positive findings
should be told quite sharply that there is nothing in the least wrong with him
needs, above all, to feel that someone understands his needs
has usually never been seriously ill
is really craving attention and is not genuinely distressed
We understand from the passage that, in the management of hypochondriasis, ___.
the patient must never be allowed to get depressed
a spell in hospital should only be arranged in an emergency
a patient should not receive too much sympathy
frequent scheduled appointments with one particular doctor are usually helpful
the possibility that the diagnosis may be erroneous must never be overlooked