Illness Anxiety Disorder (Hypochondriasis) Illustration - Woody Allen

This clip from Hannah and Her Sisters can be used to illustrate Illness Anxiety Disorder (which was called Hypochondriasis in the DSM-IV-TR). In this case, the patient Mickey (Woody Allen) does exhibit some mild symptoms (hearing impairment) and does exhibit, per Criterion C, a high level of anxiety about his health ("I am dying!"), and is easily alarmed about his personal health status ("I have a brain tumor"). Caveat: The first doctor does ask for a CAT scan (not shown) and his MD friend does acknowledge the possibility of a brain tumor (not shown either), and Mickey relaxes after his health status gets cleared, which is uncharacteristic of hypochondriacs, who are not easily convinced by medical evidence.

[@shannonm75]

I am a incarnate of Woody Allen's character.

[@karenabsadie]

Ha ha! I also used this clip for my Intro to Psych class presentation on Hypochondria. Because extreme Hypochondriac episodes are also bought on by stress, I also included the scene where Mickey's character is introduced. His TV show is failing, he's being a sketch for the show hasn't been approved to go on the air and his musical guest is dopey from taking too many Quaaludes. The entire scene, as his stress level keeps getting higher and higher, he keeps complaining about stomach pains from an ulcer.

[@carlineminel7104]

someone just really talked to me, thanks Mr Allen, gratitude.

[@m.e.d.7997]

This movie was his 80's masterpiece. Annie Hall his seventies.

[@65g4]

woody was so funny in this

[@chrisruiz2017]

anxiety is horrible. been going through it and it can literally experience any symptom you think of...

[@richardsantalone9380]

At 3:16: "Oh God, there's a tumor in my head the size of a basketball! Now I keep thinking, I can feel it every time I blink!........" The very first time I heard this line when I saw "Hannah And Her Sisters" in the local movie theater, I spewed chewed popcorn all over the floor and nearly fell out of my seat from laughing so hard, because I've known for a long time that Woody Allen is a longtime New York Knicks fan. :D

[@doggy-vj6jd]

I know how he feels, when i was 7 i thought i had problems with my heart and it was difficult for me to breath. This held two years!After in the age of 12 i thought i had appendicitis but it was nothing as usual.Also in the age of 13 i thought i had a brain tumor and to tell the truth this was the worst of all.It held about 6 months and i had also the syptomps

[@meganluminais3586]

It’s alright woody im a hypochondria to

[@circlesinthenight3141]

I love this

[@sammavacaist]

Lol. He forgot he went to see the punk band. 😂

[@alvreyes28]

Hahaha this is so me!!

[@meganluminais3586]

I’m A hypochondriac

[@kevinshaughnessy2528]

Marge Simpson

[@Gabriel-bk3lm]

LOL THATS ME

[@damjanmedojevic3275]

Doctors have really weird sense of humor