Social Psychologic Factors Affecting the Presentation of Bodily Complaints

PATIENTS often recognize symptoms for which they seek medical assistance, but, on the basis of a history and physical and laboratory examination, the physician cannot obtain evidence to account for or justify the patients' complaints.¹ Such patients conform in part to Gillespie's concept of hypochondria, which he viewed as "a persistent preoccupation with the bodily health, out of proportion to any existing justification and with a conviction of disease."² There is considerable disagreement, however, on the appropriate formal definition of hypochondria,³ and it may be incorrect to apply the same designation to profound and persistent hypochondrical syndromes associated with psychiatric . . .