A 27-yrs-old librarian has been worried that the small lymph nodes she can palpate in her groin are a sign of lymphoma. She also worries about developing laryngeal cancer due to the second-hand smoke she is exposed to at home. For a diagnosis of hypochondriasis, her symptoms should have been present for at least what period of time?

Hypochondriasis is defined by DSM-IV as a persistent fear, despite medical reassurance, that one has a serious physical illness. The patient's beliefs are based on misinterpretation of benign bodily symptoms. The belief is not of delusional propoions, and the condition must persist for 6 months for this diagnosis to be made. It is estimated that from 3 to 14% of patients seen in a general medical practice may suffer from hypochondriasis.