How do you deal with a hypochondriac?

294>My brother is 57 years old %26amp; he%26#039;s been a chronic hypochondriac %26amp;manic depressive for most of his life.


Unfortunately, it took me a few years to realize this after worrying myself sick over him.


He will write me emails saying he has lung cancer, or penis cancer, or a brain tumor, or colon cancer, or syphilis, etc, and says he goes to the doctor, but I have caught him in so many lies it%26#039;s unreal.


He%26#039;s told me that he%26#039;s been on anti-depression drugs, %26amp; I%26#039;m not sure if that%26#039;s true, since he never stays on them.


He%26#039;s supposedly been to counseling numerous times.


I hate being lied to, but I do realize after searching the Internet that hypochondria is a sign of depression, but we live thousands of miles from each other, %26amp; I am his only remaining family.


I%26#039;ve tried ignoring him, %26amp; then he gets really angry %26amp; accuses me of not caring or loving him anymore.


I%26#039;ve tried jokes, %26amp; he accuses me of not understanding %26amp; taking him serious.


I don%26#039;t know what to do.


He%26#039;s driving me crazy!


HELP!
Reply:To be in a situation where you are being manipulated by a person with an illness is handled the same way people effectively handle alcoholics in thier lives. Al Anon teaches this. You need to love from a detached stance. It takes knowledge of this skill.....and sometimes a support group (which Al Anon does). Go to the website. Anything Al Anon has written.... just substitute %26#039;mental illness%26#039; where they write %26#039;alcoholic%26#039;. It works the same.
Reply:When you find the answer, let me know. Mom is the same way. Cried %26quot;wolf%26quot; so many times we don%26#039;t know when to take her serious.