Psychiatry – MCQ 18 – Difference between hysteria and hypochondriasis

One of the following usually differentiates hysterical symptoms from hypochondriacal symptoms:
A. Symptoms do not normally reflect understandable physiological or pathological mechanism
B. Physcial symptoms are prominent which are not explained by organic factors
C. Personality traits are significant
D. Symptoms run a chronic course

Correct answer : A. Symptoms do not normally reflect understandable physiological or pathological mechanism

Hysteria (Conversion disroder) is a condition in which a person has blindness, paralysis, or other nervous system (neurologic) symptoms that cannot be explained by medical evaluation.

Hypochondria is a belief that physical symptoms are signs of a serious illness, even when there is no medical evidence to support the presence of an illness.