worried well

Introduction

a buzzword that has made its way into ICD9

Etiology

• a form of anxiety

Complications

• unnecessary healthcare visits
• unnecessary medications (prescription & OTC)
• in the elderly, subjective memory impairment may predict the development of dementia

Differential diagnosis

• malingering
• hypochondriasm
• occult disease

Management

• reassurance

More general terms

• anxiety

Additional terms

• hypochondriasm; illness anxiety disorder
• subjective memory problems in the elderly