**Question:** A patient is always preoccupied with feeling of illness. Diagnosis is: Kerala 06; NIMHANS 08; UP 08; Punjab 11

**Core Concept:** The question pertains to a psychiatric disorder characterized by preoccupation with feeling unwell, despite apparently normal physical examination findings. This is often referred to as Hypochondriasis or Hypochondria, which is now classified under the broader category of Illness Anxiety Disorder (IAD) in the DSM-5.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right:** The correct answer, **Hypochondriasis (Hypochondria)**, refers to a specific psychiatric disorder characterized by an excessive preoccupation with having a serious illness, despite a thorough evaluation that fails to reveal any identifiable medical cause for the patient's concerns. This diagnosis is based on the DSM-5 classification system.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**

A. **Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD):** This refers to intrusive and repetitive thoughts, impulses, or images that cause significant distress or impairment in daily functioning, which is different from the preoccupation with having an illness in Hypochondriasis.

B. **Anxiety Disorder:** Although anxiety is a common symptom in Hypochondriasis, the core feature of Hypochondriasis is the preoccupation with having an illness, not generalized anxiety.

C. **Depression:** Hypochondriasis is not the same as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), which is characterized by depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, and other specific symptoms.

D. **Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):** PTSD is a distinct disorder triggered by a traumatic event and is different from Hypochondriasis, which is focused on imaginary illness fears.

**Clinical Pearl:** Hypochondriasis is a common misconception among patients and healthcare providers, often leading to unnecessary investigations and referrals to specialists. In such cases, reassurance and proper education about the condition are essential steps in managing these patients.

**Correct Answer:** **Hypochondriasis (Hypochondria)**

---

In conclusion, Hypochondriasis is a psychiatric disorder characterized by an excessive preoccupation with having a serious illness, despite a thorough evaluation that fails to reveal any medical cause. This condition is described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and is distinct from the other options provided, which represent different psychiatric disorders with distinct symptomatology. The correct management involves reassurance, education, and addressing the patient's concerns about their health, as patients with Hypochondriasis often seek unnecessary medical investigations and referrals.