heartsink

/ ˈhɑːtˌsɪŋk /

noun

1. 1. a patient who repeatedly visits his or her doctor's surgery, often with multiple or non-specific symptoms, and whose complaints are impossible to treat
   2. ( as modifier )

      heartsink patients

Word History and Origins

Origin of heartsink¹

C20: so-called because the patient's appearance in the surgery makes the doctor's heart sink