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Health anxiety: current perspectives and future directions
Gordon J G Asmundson1, Jonathon S Abramowitz, Ashley A Richter
1Department of Psychology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada. gordon.asmundson@uregina.ca
Current Psychiatry Reports
|June 16, 2010
Summary
Health anxiety, a common worry about serious illness, significantly impacts well-being and healthcare use. This review examines its classification, mechanisms, and treatments for better understanding and management.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry and Psychology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Health anxiety involves misinterpreting bodily sensations as severe illness.
- Severe forms are often termed hypochondriasis, with evolving classifications for the DSM-V.
- This condition negatively affects overall well-being, social/occupational functioning, and healthcare resource use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review classification issues related to severe health anxiety.
- To summarize current research on the underlying mechanisms of health anxiety.
- To outline the state-of-the-art in assessment and treatment strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on classification, mechanisms, assessment, and treatment.
- Synthesis of recent research findings on severe health anxiety.
- Identification of future research directions.
Main Results:
- Classification of severe health anxiety is under revision.
- Various potential mechanisms are being investigated.
- Current assessment and treatment approaches are summarized.
Conclusions:
- Addressing classification challenges is crucial for severe health anxiety.
- Understanding mechanisms can inform targeted interventions.
- Effective assessment and treatment are vital for improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare burden.
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