[wastoute]

Almost missed the question in there. What is the hypochondriac to actually ill ratio? My experience is that is a function of the community. I found Active Duty soldiers to be almost reliably stoic. Especially in the presence of their peers.

Suburban housemoms, not so much. Especially in regards to their children. My daughter calls at least once a quarter asking about the new grandchild that is ill. She knows I wouldn’t give advice over the phone outside of very limited cases to my actual patients. She also knows I would never practice Medicine on my own family. Outside of very limited cases. I asked her if she would let me fulfill a personal fantasy, to deliver my own grandchild. She insisted I not be in the same state.

Point being even my daughter knows all this but she can’t help herself. When one of the grandkids gets sick I get a call. I am always happy to take it. I can’t help myself.

[Zhang Fei]

[Point being even my daughter knows all this but she can’t help herself. When one of the grandkids gets sick I get a call. I am always happy to take it. I can’t help myself.]

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I’m obviously a layman, but if I were a medico, I’d be mortified if a blood relative got seriously ill because of medical advice I did or did not give. It’s a real catch-22. Damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.