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Basic InformationMore InformationLookupsLatest NewsAutoimmune Disease, Infection Risk Factors for Mood DisordersObama Calls for National Debate on Mental HealthFor Mentally Ill, Gap in Life Expectancy Up Since 1985Latest Edition of Psychiatry's 'Bible' Launched Amid ControversySocial Considerations Not Accounted for in DSM-5Belief in God Tied to Greater Psychiatric Treatment ResponseBrain Wiring May Explain Unhealthy Obsession With LooksPsychopaths May Lack Capacity for EmpathyFaith May Complement Treatment for Mental IllnessHospitalization OK for Psych Patients Can Take HoursMental Health Seaches on Web Follow a Seasonal PatternSeverely Injured Vets May Need Ongoing Emotional CareGoogle Search Trends Suggest Mental Woes Vary by SeasonsMental Illness a Frequent Cell Mate for Those Behind BarsU.S. Must Step Up Response to Vets, Report SaysNews Coverage of Shootings May Boost Stigma of Mental IllnessPeople With Mental Illness Make Up Large Share of U.S SmokersADHD Can Often Persist Into AdulthoodSNPs Confer Risk for Multiple Psychiatric DisordersChildhood Bullying Linked to Adult Psychiatric OutcomesShared Genes May Link ADHD, Autism and DepressionPeople With Disabilities More Likely to Become Victims of ViolenceAntipsychotic Rx for 22 Percent of Nursing Home ResidentsSmoking Rates Much Higher Among the Mentally Ill: CDCPsychiatric Drugs More Often Prescribed in the SouthMarked Geographic Variation in Mental Health Medication UseStrong Genetic Selection Against Some Psych DisordersSocial Withdrawal, Isolation Should Be Addressed in YoungMental Disorders Linked With Domestic Violence, Study SaysFor Psychiatric Patients, Cancer Is Often Spotted Too LateWorkplace Bullying Takes Toll on Witnesses Too, Study FindsBenzodiazepines Linked to Higher Risk of PneumoniaADHD Can Cause Lifelong Problems, Study FindsConcerns for Long-Term Safety of Antipsychotics in Over 40sSAMHSA: Prevalence of Mental Illness in U.S. Stable in 2011Psychiatry Gets Revised Diagnostic ManualMental Illness Affects 1 in 5 U.S. Adults, Survey FindsLong-Term Use of Some Antipsychotics Not Warranted in Older Adults: StudyFor Many, 'Superstorm' Sandy Could Take Toll on Mental HealthMore Evidence Linking Creativity, Mental IllnessDeployment Affects Mental Health of Relief WorkersWhere You Live May Boost Your Sense of Well-BeingPremature Death Rate Higher in People Who Self-HarmPsych, Sleep Meds May Affect DrivingPhysical, Mental Toll of Japanese Nuke Plant Meltdown AssessedPsychological Distress Linked to Increased MortalityPhysical Ailments Take Toll on Mental Health: StudySerious Mental Illness Tied to Higher Cancer, Injury Risk: StudiesGenes Influence Whether Psych Drugs Lead to Weight GainAging Boomers' Mental Health Woes Will Swamp Health System: Report Questions and AnswersLinksBook Reviews |
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Somatization and HypochondriasFri, Mar 31st 2000I've never posted here before but I feel it's time to try and find information on my mother's health problems. I am 34 yrs old and for as long as I can remember my mother has been sick...from what exactly I'm not sure! When I was younger I remember her always taking a lot of pills. she was on the psychiatric ward for depression/nervous breakdown (once or twice). As I got older she was always visiting doctors and getting tests done...she always seemed to think she had every disease (from reading medical books)...but nothing was ever found! She always exhibited signs of low self-esteem and confidence (always getting me and my sisters to call places for information for her, ordering things, never liked to call herself...has gotten over this mostly...but still asks for me to call some place when she doesn't want to!) As I get older I see a woman who has a food addiction (she says this), spends excessively at times, depressed, extreme irritability (especially if one of us has a different point of view than hers), or if she isn't getting her own way...no one (not even my father) can get mad with her or her behavior because she gives us too much grief. Physically, always totally exhausted, body pain, etc...says is related to chronic fatigue syndrome/fibromyalgia that she has. She has been like this our whole lives...we always have to walk on eggshells around her. ...don't get me wrong...she can be the sweetest, most generous person in the world...but she never seems happy (for very long anyway, and it's getting worse). She says it's because she is so sick...she can't have a life...because she is too tired/or in pain! We want to help but because of the long history of acting this way I'm not sure if it is actually a physical thing...she has left more doctors because they in one way or other have told her that it's in her head! She has had physical symptoms but no sign of disease...I really don't know how to help...it is very hard to be supportive everyday with a person who has always complained about being sick...who's whole life revolves around how sick she feels! THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION WILL NOT BE DISPLAYED UNTIL YOU HAVE INDICATED YOUR AGREEMENT WITH THE DISCLAIMER PRINTED JUST BELOW. CLICK THE 'I AGREE' BUTTON TO AGREE TO THESE TERMS AND SEE THE RESPONSE.
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