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Childhood antecedents of hypochondriasis
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Childhood antecedents of hypochondriasis

Russell Noyes Jr, Scott Stuart, Douglas R Langbehn, Rachel L Happel, Susan L Longley and Steven J Yagla
Psychosomatics (Washington, D.C.), Vol.43(4), pp.282-289
07/2002
DOI: 10.1176/appi.psy.43.4.282
PMID: 12189253

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Abstract

According to the interpersonal model of hypochondriasis, early environmental adversity may give rise to attachment insecurity that finds adult expression in care-seeking behavior. To identify antecedents of this disturbance, we interviewed general medicine patients and obtained from them self-reports of traumatic events, adverse circumstances, and symptoms experienced in childhood. Patients who met DSM-III-R criteria for hypochondriasis more often reported traumatic events and circumstances, including serious illness or injury. Among all patients, the level of hypochondriacal symptoms in adulthood was correlated with poor health, hypochondriacal worry, and separation anxiety in childhood. These findings are consistent with a growing literature that links childhood adversity to adult hypochondriasis; they support the interpersonal model.
Hypochondriasis - etiology Humans Life Change Events Middle Aged Risk Factors Linear Models Male Chi-Square Distribution Hypochondriasis - psychology Adult Female Hypochondriasis - diagnosis Child

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