Group cognitive and behavioural treatment for hypochondriasis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the feasibility of carrying out group cognitive and behavioural treatment for hypochondriasis in a general hospital setting.


METHODS
Assessment of patients referred for therapy.


METHODS
District general hospital.


METHODS
Six patients aged 35 to 55 (mean 43) years with a mean duration of symptoms of 12 years who fulfilled the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM III-R) criteria for hypochondriasis.


METHODS
Number of visits to their doctors, time spent thinking about illness, and scores on the hospital anxiety and depression scales.


RESULTS
The mean number of visits to a doctor fell significantly after treatment (3 before treatment v 0.8 after treatment; p = 0.03) as did the time spent thinking about illness (57.3 v 40.6; p = 0.14). The depression and anxiety scores also fell, although the differences were not significant (depression: 9.5 before v 8.5 after; anxiety: 13 before v 12 after).


CONCLUSIONS
It is feasible to carry out group cognitive and behavioural treatment in patients with hypochondriasis, and controlled studies are now indicated.
Stern
R
R
St Helier Hospital, Carshalton, Surrey.
Fernandez
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D006998:Hypochondriasis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy