Back to text of article | Info Centre Home | Contents | Search | eMJA Home

www.mja.com.au
© 1998 MJA

A young executive about to leave on an overseas fellowship with his wife and two children developed a sudden and overwhelming fear that he might have multiple sclerosis after noticing blurring of vision on waking from sleep. His preoccupation with this symptom led him to seek an urgent appointment with his general practitioner. The patient initially failed to see any relationship between his concern about spending a period overseas and his symptoms. After conducting a full physical check-up, including a funduscopic examination, the doctor was able to reassure the patient and point out the link between his anxiety about the trip and his fear of illness, which the relieved patient readily accepted.

Back to article . . .