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Monosymptomatic Hypochondriasis, Abnormal Illness Behaviour and Suicide

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Paul E. Bebbington*
Affiliation:
Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, S.E.5

Summary

Two cases of chronic monosymptomatic psychogenic eye pain with abnormal illness behaviour are presented. Both failed to respond to a wide variety of treatments, and despite the accepted low suicidal risk in hypochondriasis both killed themselves. The origin, prognosis and therapy of such behaviour are discussed in this context.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1976 

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