The November issue of _Prevention_ has some good advice for the reader
who suspects he/she may be a hypochondriac  :-)

------------------------------------------------------------

"There's a big difference between a person taking an active interest
in his health and being a hypochondriac."

"Reading about the symptoms of hypochondria may make you think you're
a hypochondriac.  But the odds are that you're not."

[what a relief --mmm]

"But whereas a hypochondriac fixates on symptoms and remains worried
about serious illness, an ordinary intern, editor or _Prevention_
reader quickly gets over these symptoms."

[so reading _Prevention_ is not necessarily a symptom of hypochondria? --mmm]

"Knowing something about the cause of hypochondria has helped experts
treat it successfully.  ... hypochondriacal behavior can sometimes be a
symptom of clinical depression and certain panic disorders."

"Treating 'primary' hypochondriasis is tougher, but clinical results
prove it can be done."

"'Hypochondriacs *can* be helped.  Several of the published studies report
a positive outcome in a large proportion of patients,' says Dr. [Robert]
Kellner [U of New Mexico].

[I wonder what inspired _Prevention_ to run this article?  Did someone
{*filter*}to death on the apricot pits or the activated charcoal/EDTA/
diatomaceous earth pills?]

Could someone please post some information on this?
I've sometimes wondered if I suffer from this.

Yes, but how big of a difference???

(I've never heard of 'Prevention' before)

Are there really "symptoms" to hypochondria???  I never knew there were
such "symptoms".

My latest "round" of symptoms has prompted me to switch medical coverage,
from Kaiser to the private insurance as of the end of the month.  I never
was much for telephone diagnosis that apparently Kaiser Permanante is
famous for (or at least has practiced on me), the lastest round being
this past week.  What do I have to look forward to???  Do doctors really
fear hypochondriacs?  As I have gotten older, I have been becoming more
stressful about my health (no, not just intrested in my health; literally
stressed out about my health).

(Anybody have any suggestions for doctors around Mountian View/Palo Alto,
 California???  I see all of you running like rats on a sinking ship.. :-)

Hmph!  Does that mean I should become a reader of 'Prevention', or go
to medical school (and get a _real_ degree, not the stupid one I ended
getting [Television Broadcasting])!

No, "real" hypochondriacs like me are still on the loose!  :-)

   robert