How to deal with a hypochondriac

[murphy55d]

My best friend is turning into one, and quite frankly, it is wearing many of us out. He is convinced he has either AIDS, or HIV, or cancer, or whatever disease he happens to read about. I am really not sure what to do at this point, we all have tried to reassure him nothing is wrong, and he says ok, but then the next day, something new is wrong. Obviously a medical opinion and help is needed here, but as people who deal with him on a non-medical level, what can we do?

thanks.

and yes this is a serious topic.

 

[Pathogen03]

ask him to prove it?

Once he cant, tell him it can be proved he doesnt have it, and if he wants to foot a medical bill to find out.

 

[murphy55d]

Originally posted by: Pathogen03
ask him to prove it?

Once he cant, tell him it can be proved he doesnt have it, and if he wants to foot a medical bill to find out.

I don't think it's that simple, because EVERY 'symptom' he has, is somehow linked to ANY number of diseaeses. If he gets a sore throat, it turns into the worst disease you can find. It's just every day symptoms people have, and since they are symptoms of almost everything you can think of, he thinks he has it.

 

[notfred]

Stop hanging around him. Don't waste your time.

 

[Gurck]

Obtain a sample of the HIV and inject him with it. Laugh cruelly and say "you didn't have it, but you do now!!" Grin maniaclly.

Seriously ignore it, it's probably just a plea for attention. Behavioral therapy works surprisingly well, if whining about having this or that disease gets him no sympathy he'll stop.

 

[murphy55d]

Originally posted by: notfred
Stop hanging around him. Don't waste your time.

I've known him since 3rd grade, and he's been my best friend almost all my life. That is not, and will not be an option.

 

[Pathogen03]

Ask him what he wants to do about it (his current disease). Try to talk about the tiny % change that the disease is real, tell him to wait 3-4 days before panic'ing..

Ive never thought on how to deal with a hypochondriac before.. Sorry i cant be more help.

Or call a Doctor and talk with him about getting a prescription for sugar pills in the bottle for some steroid like cortezone or something..

 

[DWW]

Cough on him

 

[Pathogen03]

After Googling it, the best solution I see is to get him a Puppy he can complain to about his ailments.


Puppie = Puppy. God i t faild 2st grayde engrish.

 

[murphy55d]

He's already got a dog.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: murphy55d

Originally posted by: notfred
Stop hanging around him. Don't waste your time.

I've known him since 3rd grade, and he's been my best friend almost all my life. That is not, and will not be an option.

Then deal with it like this:

Him: "Oh, sh!t, I think I might have AIDS"
You: "No you don't, stop being a dumbass, you're annoying all your friends with this crap and we don't want to hear about it anymore"

Hopefully something like that is blunt enough to get your point across.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: murphy55d
My best friend is turning into one, and quite frankly, it is wearing many of us out. He is convinced he has either AIDS, or HIV, or cancer, or whatever disease he happens to read about. I am really not sure what to do at this point, we all have tried to reassure him nothing is wrong, and he says ok, but then the next day, something new is wrong. Obviously a medical opinion and help is needed here, but as people who deal with him on a non-medical level, what can we do?

thanks.

and yes this is a serious topic.

intervention.

Its a psychological disease and with some help he'll be fine. As a friend if you guys are this concerned about him you will do what is necessary.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: DWW
Cough on him

LOL..

 

[murphy55d]

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: murphy55d

Originally posted by: notfred
Stop hanging around him. Don't waste your time.

I've known him since 3rd grade, and he's been my best friend almost all my life. That is not, and will not be an option.

Then deal with it like this:

Him: "Oh, sh!t, I think I might have AIDS"
You: "No you don't, stop being a dumbass, you're annoying all your friends with this crap and we don't want to hear about it anymore"

Hopefully something like that blunt enough to get your ponit across.

In all seriousness, that's been my response the last few times. Once we say that he stops with it, for awhile, but then starts up again the next day or so.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Is your friend in his late teens or early 20's?

 

[murphy55d]

He's 21, will be 22 next month. I'm 22.

 

[pitupepito2000]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: murphy55d
My best friend is turning into one, and quite frankly, it is wearing many of us out. He is convinced he has either AIDS, or HIV, or cancer, or whatever disease he happens to read about. I am really not sure what to do at this point, we all have tried to reassure him nothing is wrong, and he says ok, but then the next day, something new is wrong. Obviously a medical opinion and help is needed here, but as people who deal with him on a non-medical level, what can we do?

thanks.

and yes this is a serious topic.

intervention.

Its a psychological disease and with some help he'll be fine. As a friend if you guys are this concerned about him you will do what is necessary.

I agree, he seems to have a disease that makes him think that he has a disease or whatever. I would personally go to google, and figure out what disease his got. Do lots of research about his disease. Understanding what he's going through is the first setp in being able to help him.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Originally posted by: murphy55d
He's 21, will be 22 next month. I'm 22.

He needs a complete medical examination & then an evaluation by a Psychiatrist.

Trust me, it's real important...

 

[Gurck]

Problem with giving people "bad" attention for something when they're seeking any attention is that it hurts while giving them what they want. You drive someone away without changing them. Behaviorism says to ignore it. Pointedly ignoring someone (pretending you didn't hear them) is actually just another form of bad attention, so your best bet is changing the subject. When it no longer gets a response he'll stop - however, the need for attention indicate a deeper issue and he may start in with something else annoying.

 

[pitupepito2000]

Originally posted by: DWW
Cough on him

what out! Oh, no he threw up on you You see, shouldn't have cough on him!

 

[Mo0o]

It's going to be hard to rationalize with him considering hypochondria is an IRRATIONAL fear. If you could just reasonw with him then shrinks would be out of work. I think he needs to see a professional about this, i think only they can help him.

 

[Ameesh]

if he was my friend, i'd give him a punch in the face and tell him to stop being so crazy.

 

[murphy55d]

Originally posted by: Pathogen03
Ask him what he wants to do about it (his current disease). Try to talk about the tiny % change that the disease is real, tell him to wait 3-4 days before panic'ing..

Ive never thought on how to deal with a hypochondriac before.. Sorry i cant be more help.

Or call a Doctor and talk with him about getting a prescription for sugar pills in the bottle for some steroid like cortezone or something..

After re-reading this, is this something doctors will do? I don't know if a placebo effect here will work or not. :\

 

[Bumrush99]

The best advice is to have him talk to a doctor. Many times these feelings are linked to depression or some other underlying problems

 

[murphy55d]

bump for some more opinions/input.