Hypochondriacs who come in...

cappuccino · May 5, 2007

You have to be careful when assuming that a person is a hypochondriac. There are many diseases and disorders that take a while to diagnose. Believe me I've seen it firsthand. It is terrifying and it makes you feel extremely vulnerable. I went to the ER with difficulty breathing. The ER nurse was very curt and a little weird when she spoke to me. All my labs and my xrays were negative. Even my follow-up with the pulmonary doctor was fine. We finally sat down and discussed all my symptoms and he deteremined that it was probably from my GI reflux. But it was so strange because it felt like I wasn't breathing well. It turns out that my GI reflux was affecting my vocal cords and making me feel like I couldn't breathe. The worst feeling though was being regarded as a hypochondriac when I was being treated in the ER. It was awful because the nurse was trying to get me to take the respiratory treatment despite my insistence that it was making it worse. So please remember this because it could be you. It was a learning experience.......................

KMP77 · May 5, 2007

I suffered from this for many years, thats why I was asking. I never went to an ER but I know plenty of people who have. People who knew they werent having heart attacks but wanted EKGs and whatever else they do. People who knew they were ok, but was convinced they had a brain tumor. I just wasnt sure how ER nurses handled it. I dont think these people should be treated badly bc it is a disease. But I also know a few people who would be in the ER every other week.

TazziRN, RN · May 5, 2007

The first time they come in with a certain complaint, say a headache like one they've never had before, a complete workup has to be done. If a CT shows nothing and there are no neurological signs, they are discharged to follow up with their regular doc or a neurologist. If they come back with the same complaint they are medicated for pain and referred back to their doc.

Even if it's known that someone is anxious, each new complaint has to be worked up just in case. if someone keeps coming in with chest pain they get at least a partial cardiac workup. We can't take chances. The time a pt is blown off, sure 'nuff it will be something serious.

purplemania, BSN, RN · May 5, 2007

Hypochondria is a disease too. Respect everyone's complaints, even if they are unfounded, as they might be serious this time.

Trauma Columnist · May 5, 2007

Drug abusers can be involved in accidents.

Hypochondriacs can have MIs.

Frequent flyers can have AAA dissect.

It pays to be careful.

NewEastCoastRN · May 6, 2007

You have to be careful when assuming that a person is a hypochondriac. There are many diseases and disorders that take a while to diagnose. Believe me I've seen it firsthand. It is terrifying and it makes you feel extremely vulnerable. I went to the ER with difficulty breathing. The ER nurse was very curt and a little weird when she spoke to me. All my labs and my xrays were negative. Even my follow-up with the pulmonary doctor was fine. We finally sat down and discussed all my symptoms and he deteremined that it was probably from my GI reflux. But it was so strange because it felt like I wasn't breathing well. It turns out that my GI reflux was affecting my vocal cords and making me feel like I couldn't breathe. The worst feeling though was being regarded as a hypochondriac when I was being treated in the ER. It was awful because the nurse was trying to get me to take the respiratory treatment despite my insistence that it was making it worse. So please remember this because it could be you. It was a learning experience.......................

I had the exact same experience. When I was only 19 years old, I developed severe GERD and had laryngospasms all the time. I would go to the ER or to my primary doc and they thought I was crazy/overreacting/attention-seaking. Then finally I went to a ENT who knew right away what was wrong. Within 6 months I had surgery and haven't had any problems since.

Larry77, RN · May 7, 2007

Hypochondria is a disease too. Respect everyone's complaints, even if they are unfounded, as they might be serious this time.

I wouldn't call Hypochondria a "disease" it is an anxiety disorder which is related to phobias and yes you have to check out the individuals complaints to cover your own arss.

These people need to look into therapy or medications for their anxiety rather than rushing into the ED because this abd. cramping must be a AAA that they just read about.

It is easy for ED nurses especially the long-timers to get very cynical and never take anyone too seriously because there is so much "smoke and mirrors" around our dept. To try and prevent this I try to think that each person I triage or take care of could be my family member.

angel337, MSN, RN · May 8, 2007

i am very careful to not label people as hypochondriacs. sure they exist and the first time you assume that a person is "faking it" or whatever, that's when they go home and die from a huge bleed....and guess who is at fault?? bottom line is ER nurses have to rely very heavily on assessment skills. if a patient doesn't look well, they probably aren't. and if a patient does look well they could also be sick. it depends on so many things. experience is the best teacher dear.