[Dyskinesia of the abdominal musculature in hypochondria]

A 73-year-old woman with a history of chronic hypochondria, depression and abdominal symptoms, such as colics, flatulence and changing fecal consistency, was diagnosed as having an "irritable colon" syndrome and "hypochondria". Over a period of ten years she had been taking regularly various psychoactive drugs, especially diazepins and amitryptiline. Three years ago she began to have wave-like movements of the abdominal wall, interpreted as intestinal hyperperistalsis with chronic subileus. Radiological and endoscopic examinations were normal, but wave-like contractions of the abdominal musculature were demonstrated on electromyography. The most likely cause is the chronic abuse of psychoactive drugs over many years. In case of abdominal symptoms attention should be paid to the abdominal wall, not only the gastrointestinal tract.