Hypochondria and Prozac Essay -- Biology Essays Research Papers

Hypochondria and Prozac A chit For All Ills?Right now, my shoulder really, really aches. Its a dull, uncentralized sort of pain, and over the past few age, it has spread to my neck and upper arms. My wrists hurt too, especially when I twist them a certain way. Im tired all of the time, and thirsty. Im non worried about these symptoms. Their cause is obvious. Ive spent the last four days hunched over my computer until early morning, furiously typing reports for finals week (this one included). I get an average of four to five hours of sopor a night, and the rest of the time, only a constant stream of caffeinated beverages bottom keep me awake. My back/shoulder/neck pain is caused by my berth at the computer my tiredness is a result of---what else?---lack of sleep Im thirsty because all Im drinking is soda. If I were a hypochondriac, though, Id probably think I had cancer.Dont laugh. Hypochondria, or the attributing of benign symptoms such as backache and fatigue to serious il lnesses, occurs in 1% of the population and 5% of Americas medical outpatients ((7)). These people, while usually in truth healthy, interpret every minor pain as indicative of something serious. They extend from doctor to doctor seeking treatment if one doctor refuses to bang their illness, or gives them a clean bill of health, they simply move on ((7)). This process can go on for anywhere from six months to eld ((6)). The symptoms they feel are not delusions, nor are they purposefully-created fakes. Pretending to experience nonexistant symptoms is a behavior associated with a different disorder, Muchausen syndrome. Hypochondriacs pain is very real. Its just not, as its sufferers assume, a sign of some fatal illness ((7... ...iety for what it was, and know that it was a mental rather than a physical problem, and therefore fixable. Most importantly, I would know that I wouldnt have to rely on pills for my recovery. That being said, Im termination to go pop a few aspirins. Inte rnet Sources1)http//www. newsworthinesscientist.com/channel/ touch sensation/2)http//www.uib.no/med/avd/med_a/gastro/wilhelms/hypochon.html3)http//www.columbia.edu/cu/record/archives/vol21/vol21_iss24/record2124.24.html4)http//www.columbia.edu/cu/record/archives/vol21/vol21_iss24/record2124.24.html5)http//www.usatoday.com/news/health/healthcare/2002-03-19-hypochondriacs.htm6)http//healthsciences.columbia.edu/news/journal/journal-o/archives/jour_v15n2_0002.html7)http//www.helenair.com/articles/2003/09/13/health/c01090903_04.txt8)http//www.uib.no/med/avd/med_a/gastro/wilhelms/wallstr.html