FEAR OF DEATH IN PATIENTS WITH HYPOCHONDRIASIS AND ANXIETY DISORDERS.

Fear of death is a common anxiety disorder. The purpose of this study was comparing the degree of death fear in patients with hypochondriasis and anxiety disorders.

Materials & Methods: Convenience sampling method was used to choose 121 patients with hypochondriasis and anxiety disorders out of patients referring to health care centers. The fear of death was measured by Death Anxiety Scale. Data analysis was performed by covariance and post hoc test.

Results: The findings indicated that whereas patients with panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and post traumatic stress disorder experience fear of death but these symptoms are markedly less common than those with hypochondriasis.

Conclusion: The finding of this study are helpful in terms of the conceptualization and treatment of hypochondriasis and anxiety disorders.