Fixed Belief in Cognitive Dysfunction Despite Normal Neuropsychological Scores: Neurocognitive Hypochondriasis?

A subset of patients who present for neuropsychological testing report dysfunction in daily life activities secondary to cognitive deficits, but are found on formal testing to have no objective abnormalities, raising the possibility of "neurocognitive hypochondriasis." Such a case is prese...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inClinical neuropsychologist Vol. 23; no. 6; pp. 1016 - 1036
Main Author Boone, Kyle Brauer
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England Psychology Press 01.08.2009
Subjects
Adult
Brain Injuries - complications
Brain Injuries - psychology
Cognition Disorders - etiology
Cognition Disorders - psychology
Female
Fixed belief in cognitive dysfunction
Humans
Hypochondriasis - physiopathology
Hypochondriasis - psychology
Mild traumatic brain injury
Neurocognitive hypochondriasis
Neuropsychological Tests
Personality
Personality Assessment
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Summary:A subset of patients who present for neuropsychological testing report dysfunction in daily life activities secondary to cognitive deficits, but are found on formal testing to have no objective abnormalities, raising the possibility of "neurocognitive hypochondriasis." Such a case is presented, and the factors that appear to give rise to this presentation are explored. Cases of hypochondriacal overconcern regarding cognitive function are likely not rare, particularly given research showing there is little correlation between objective report of cognitive dysfunction and actual test scores in such conditions as mild traumatic brain injury, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, toxic mold exposure, and post-polio syndrome.
ISSN:1385-4046
1744-4144
DOI:10.1080/13854040802441135