Hypochondriasis in the elderly: a reaction to social stress.

Hypochondriasis in the elderly is often a preventable or reversible syndrome. It can become chronic if the patient finds no relief from social stress or becomes dependent upon medical services as a source of support. When this is recognized, psychotherapeutic intervention is necessary. Although no socioeconomic group is exempt, hypochondriasis in the elderly occurs more often among the lower social classes. Its higher prevalence in this group is attributable to the frequency and severity of social stress and the loss of alternative social opportunities. If psychotherapeutic intervention is necessary, the elderly hypochondriac patient should be helped to recognize social stress as a major source of the problem and to develop a realistic method of coping with it. Apparently the precipitating factors are often in the socioeconomic sphere; hence, social planners should be aware of this fact if the demands on the health care system are to be reduced.