MONOSYMPTOMATIC HYPOCHONDRIACAL DELUSION AND ITS DIFFERENTIATION FROM DHAT S SYNDROME, DEPRESSION AND SCHIZOPHRENIA - A CASE REPORT

Corresponding Author:
Dr. Aftab Ahmed Khan,
Assistant Professor,
Department of Psychiatry,
NSCB Medical College, Jabalpur,
Madhya Pradesh.
E-mail: draftab79@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Monosymptomatic Hypochondriacal Psychosis (MHP) is a form of obsessive compulsive spectrum disorder characterised by the single delusional belief that there is a serious problem in the skin or other body parts. Because MHP patients believe that their illness is physical, not psychiatric, they usually consult several other medical specialists before attending Psychiatry Clinic and often referred by other Speciality Department. This leads to different time-consuming examinations and treatment interventions. In this case report, we emphasise the importance of diagnosing the illness correctly and referring the patient to a psychiatrist. The patient presented in this report has been treated with a new generation antipsychotic and anti-obsessive drug. This treatment has led to significant improvement. Therefore, we conclude that MHP is a psychiatric illness, which needs early diagnosis and psychiatric treatment.

KEYWORDS

Hypochondriasis, Delusion, Antipsychotics.