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For the Hypochondriac--Internet Opens New Worlds of Illness - Page 4

© Dr. Bob Orndoff

There is a risk of encountering painful and hazardous diagnostic procedures as the search intensifies. Doctor shopping, by scattering the patient's medical data across numerous clinics and practitioners, impedes access to important medical information.

If fourth, fifth and more opinions are sought, and all say virtually the same thing: "no organic illness"--then plodding further, without rethinking and consulting with a medical psychologist, increases the risk that the search will become more damaging than the suspected disease. Whether you plan to continue your search or abandon it, I highly recommend the guidance of a good psychologist with good medical knowledge to help you along the way.

But, if after a run of expensive and exhaustive diagnostic procedures, your doctor says to you that there's really nothing medically wrong--it's okay to rejoice. And relax--the best medicine of all.

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