Are medical students more subjective to illness anxiety disorder?

Abstract

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION:  Studying medicine was assumed to be a risk factor to develop hypochondriacal tendencies. The main objective of this study was to determine if the medical students develop hypochondriacal worries more frequently than other, non – medical, students.

METHODS:   We gathered a sample of 376 medical students and 367 non – medical students, total of 743 students. Whiteley Index, a fast screening test for hypochondriacal worries, along with three extra questions, was given to students to fill out.

RESULTS:  Significantly higher score on Whiteley Indeks was determined among medical students than in non – medical students. It was also shown that the medical students on third and fourth year of study were especially more subjective to develop hypochondriasis.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that medical students are more subjective to develop hypochondriacal tendencies. Organization of medical and psychological help for students should be established.