A Recommendation for the Management of Illness AnxietyDisorder Patients Abusing the Health Care System

Introduction. Illness anxiety disorder (IAD) entails a preoccupation with having a serious, undiagnosed illness in which somaticsymptoms are, if present, mild in intensity (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).Case Report. This is a case of seventy-three-year-old Saudi man who started visiting the primary health care center around twenty-five years ago. With concerns of havingcancer, the patient continuously visited the hospital, costing over $170,000. Throughout this period, the patient has been exposedto extensive unnecessary imaging studies and laboratory tests that have effects on his life in all aspects with such concerns. Fiveyears ago, a family doctor has put an end to that by directing the patient to the right path. The doctor made several actions; mostimportantly, he directed the patient to a cognitive behavioral therapy which significantly improved a range of hypochondriacalbeliefs and attitudes. This patient’s case demonstrates the fundamental importance of a proper health system that limits such patientsfrom abusing the health system and depleting the medical resources. Moreover, this case emphasizes the important role of the familyphysician who can be the first physician to encounter such patients. Thus, proper understanding of the nature of such disorder is akey element for better diagnosis and management.