Answer:
It sounds like Saman may be experiencing health anxiety, also known as hypochondriasis. Health anxiety is an obsessive preoccupation with the idea of having a serious medical condition, despite normal test results and lack of symptoms.
Some key characteristics of health anxiety include:
- Excessive worry about health and frequent doctor visits
- Misinterpreting normal body sensations as signs of illness
- Seeking constant reassurance from medical tests, which provides only temporary relief
- Inability to be reassured by negative test results or doctor's reassurance
- Significant distress and impairment in daily functioning due to health worries
Health anxiety can be treated effectively with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and sometimes medication. The goal is to help the person develop more realistic health beliefs, reduce checking behaviors, and learn to tolerate uncertainty about their health.
If Saman's preoccupation with illness is causing significant distress and impairment, he should discuss it with his doctor, who can provide a referral to a mental health professional experienced in treating health anxiety. With proper treatment, he can learn to manage his worries and improve his quality of life.
