About Health Anxiety (Hypochondriasis)

The terms “health anxiety”, “health phobia”, “hypochondriasis” or “hypochondria” are used to refer to the same group of problems.

Formal diagnosis of hypochondriasis (DSM-IV-TR) is based on the presence of severe anxiety lasting at least six months due to preoccupation with fears of having, or the idea that one has, a serious disease.  This preoccupation must be based on the misinterpretation of bodily symptoms and persist despite appropriate medical evaluation and reassurance.  Health anxiety typically reduces temporarily after medical reassurance but returns again repeatedly.

There are similarities between our understanding of panic attacks and health anxiety, and people with health anxiety often experience some panic attacks.  Concerns about health are also commonly found among individuals who suffer from generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and are prone to worry in general.

Blog Articles About Health Anxiety

• The Attention Training Technique (ATT) June 28, 2012
  Handout for therapy clients describing the Attention Training Technique (ATT) used in Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) in detail.The post The Attention Training Technique (ATT) appeared first on Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy in London. […]
  Solutions: London Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Health Anxiety May 3, 2011
  This article contains some initial questions to help you conceptualise health anxiety from a cognitive-behavioural perspective.The post Health Anxiety appeared first on Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy in London. […]
  Solutions: London Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• An Early Cognitive Model of Health Anxiety January 26, 2011
  An excerpt and diagram from The Philosophy of CBT (2010), explaining Paul Dubois' "concentric circles" model of health worries.The post An Early Cognitive Model of Health Anxiety appeared first on Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy in London. […]
  Solutions: London Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)