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Hypochondriasis: conceptualization, treatment, and relationship to obsessive-compulsive disorder
Jonathan S Abramowitz1, Autumn E Braddock
1OCD/Anxiety Disorders Program, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. abramowitz.jonathan@mayo.edu
The Psychiatric Clinics of North America
|May 3, 2006
Summary
Health anxiety (HC) is now recognized as a primary diagnosis, often stemming from an anxiety disorder focused on fears of serious illness. Cognitive-behavioral and pharmacologic treatments show promise, though patient reluctance to accept psychological aspects remains a challenge.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
Background:
- Health anxiety (HC) was historically viewed as secondary to other mental disorders.
- HC is now understood as a primary diagnosis, characterized by intense fear of serious physical illness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the conceptualization and treatment of health anxiety.
- To highlight the role of maladaptive beliefs and behaviors in maintaining HC.
- To discuss challenges and strategies in treating HC.
Main Methods:
- The study reviews existing evidence on the conceptualization of HC.
- It examines the role of cognitive-behavioral and pharmacologic treatments.
- It discusses patient-provider interactions and therapeutic alliance.
Main Results:
- Health anxiety involves erroneous beliefs and maladaptive behaviors that perpetuate threat perception.
- Cognitive-behavioral and pharmacologic interventions are effective in reducing HC symptoms.
- Patient reluctance to acknowledge the psychological nature of HC is a significant treatment barrier.
Conclusions:
- Effective treatment of HC relies on addressing maladaptive beliefs and behaviors.
- Building trust and providing logical explanations for psychological services are crucial for patient engagement.
- Understanding HC as an anxiety disorder is key to successful therapeutic outcomes.
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