16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the prevalence and/or incidence of Hypochondriasis.
Hypochondriasis isn’t linked to a specific cause, but it commonly develops in people who have experienced an organic disease or in their relatives. It allows the patient to assume a dependent sick role to ensure that his needs are met. Such a patient is unaware of these unmet needs, and doesn’t consciously cause his symptoms. Stress increases the risk of developing hypochondriasis.
Hypochondriasis occurs in men and women with equal frequency. It can begin at any age, but onset usually occurs between ages 20 and 30.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
The term 'prevalence' of Hypochondriasis usually refers to the estimated population of people who are managing Hypochondriasis at any given time. The term 'incidence' of Hypochondriasis refers to the annual diagnosis rate, or the number of new cases of Hypochondriasis diagnosed each year. Hence, these two statistics types can differ: a short-lived disease like flu can have high annual incidence but low prevalence, but a life-long disease like diabetes has a low annual incidence but high prevalence. For more information see about prevalence and incidence statistics.
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