How to deal with a Hypochondriac?

Ok, so this person near and dear to me thinks they are dying with every ache and pain they get!

Do I give into them and give them the sympathy they are looking for or be tough and tell them to "get over it" and they will be fine!?

How do you deal with it?

Re: How to deal with a Hypochondriac?

I have one in the family.

I just listen to them and try and be supportive. I know it is a mental condition.

Re: How to deal with a Hypochondriac?

well being that I am a hypochodriac. I often like when people rationalize and reassure me. This helps the most- its def a dehabilitating problem at times

Re: How to deal with a Hypochondriac?

Re: How to deal with a Hypochondriac?

I personally have little patience for hypochondriacs, being I'm married to one who's mother is a huge one. I sometimes say "aww" but that's it. I was raised in a house where if you cut yourself, your loss. No sympathy for it.

Re: How to deal with a Hypochondriac?

i try to just ignore the behavior. no response either way, if possible- i find that to be the most effective. If nothing else, it makes them less likely to talk to me about it

Otherwise, i try to rationalize. I can't coddle- i dont have it in me.

Re: How to deal with a Hypochondriac?

Re: How to deal with a Hypochondriac?

I believe a TRUE Hypochondriac is not something to laugh about or make fun of. It is a serious mental illness.

Someone that just complains about everything and anything is a different story.

Re: How to deal with a Hypochondriac?

Re: How to deal with a Hypochondriac?

Well I can tell you that Im not about complaining about aches and pains- thats not really a hypochodriac. For me I worry about certain things that I may experience health wise can be a symptomof a serious health condition and I worry excessivly about it. Im very scared of getting a serious illness and often may see my symptoms as something serious when infact it is not. I dont complain to complain I mostly worry about serious conditions.

Message edited 8/22/2007 1:58:11 PM.

Re: How to deal with a Hypochondriac?

my DH is one

I normally tell him he better go to the doctor the next day- but he never does- he is always fine

Re: How to deal with a Hypochondriac?

Re: How to deal with a Hypochondriac?

I always agree with the person and say "Yes, it must be meningitis. You better say your prayers!"

Re: How to deal with a Hypochondriac?

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Yes, for me it is DH too.
I get to the point where I say "do you really think you are going to die"
If yes, I am calling 911 , if not, shut up and go back to bed


that used to happen all the time in my house-

(we never actually went to the ER )

but he has kind of stopped ever since he called me at work about 3 months ago to tell me he "thinks" he has cancer

that was the straw that broke the camels back for me

and I think he finally realized after he said that - that he is going over board

I got very upset since I lost my Mom to cancer and he was basically giving me all the syptoms of the cancer she died from

I kind of ingnore him- I swear - he said ouch at the airport once- and the sercurity person said to me- your husband is in pain- and just look at her and rolled my eyes- and said I don't even hear it anymore- she must have thought I was the meanest person in the whole world

but enough already- my Mom was really sick and she never complained- so it's hard for me to have sympathy when I know it's in his head

ok vent over-

Re: How to deal with a Hypochondriac?

I am with you Beth!

Everytime he has a headache it's a brain tumor...
a pulled muscle is a blood clot....
a cramp is a muscle tear....

Re: How to deal with a Hypochondriac?

I find that with myself (and I am a real hypochondriac) it is best if those close to me either rationalize with me in an understanding way.... or just keep reminding that no matter what everything will be ok. At times I see my hypochondria as a debilitating illness and if those close to me chose to ignore my fears I would be very hurt.

Re: How to deal with a Hypochondriac?

I had a co-worker that I worked with for about 8 years at my first job who saw me through several surgeries and diagnostic tests etc... After a while she would start to say things like, "Oh I have a pain here- who is your surgeon again?" Or "I think I have rheumatoid arthritis, what's the name of your rheumatologist again??" Always telling me her symptoms (which ironically were the same as mine) and asking me for my treating physician. At one point, one of my doctors told me that my "friend" had been in and was comparing her symptoms to mine and asking my MD about my condition in comparison to hers! I got SOOOO ****** off. Obviously my MD knew she was full of s&*% and didn't say anything. The next time she asked, I told her to look up someone from her provider list because I wasn't comfortable having people I knew share the same physicians.. She got the hint..

Re: How to deal with a Hypochondriac?

Posted by BabyCote2006

I am with you Beth!

Everytime he has a headache it's a brain tumor...
a pulled muscle is a blood clot....
a cramp is a muscle tear....