`heartsink patient’

 This is not a patient with a heart problem; in fact, he is one who creates problems for the poor doctor. We have all met individuals who constantly complain about their health. They may not have any problem at all, but every time they see us, they buttonhole us and give us a long lecture about their imaginary ailments. These individuals not only bore us, but also their unfortunate doctors; they visit the poor man repeatedly and complain persistently about their unidentifiable ailments. Whenever the doctor sees one such patient walking into his office, how do you think he feels? Pretty depressed, right? His heart sinks on seeing him. Hence the expression, `heartsink patient’.

Sourced from The Hindu ‘Know Your English’ Series, October 24, 2005