Hypochondriasis and Depression in the Aged

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Abstract
The development, incidence and characteristics of hypochondriacal symptoms were studied in 152 depressed patients aged 60 or over. Hypochondriacal symptoms were found in 65.7% of the men and 62% of the women. The most common symptom was concern over constipation. They were the first manifestation of the depression in 29.6% and preceded the appearance of overtly depressive symptoms by an interval of two to three months. Hypochondriacal symptoms were the dominant and presenting symptom in 23.6%. Suicide was attempted by 17.7% of the patients in the series. 24.8% of patients with hypochondriacal symptoms attempted suicide, while of those free of these symptoms only 7.3%. 22.2% of the patients with hypochondriasis as first symptom and 36% of those in which it was the dominant symptom attempted suicide. Only 19.5% of patients with hypochondriacal symptoms had shown previous hypochondriacal attitude or personality traits. The value of hypochondriacal symptoms in the early diagnosis of depression and in the recognition of the less typical forms is discussed in the light of these findings.

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