title: Explanatory therapy in hypochondriasis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of individual explanatory therapy in hypochondriasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients with DSM-IV hypochondriasis were randomly assigned to 2 groups. One received explanatory therapy and was assessed again after a 6-month follow-up. The other was first assigned to a waiting list and subsequently treated with explanatory therapy. All patients received usual medical care from their physicians. Assessments involved both observer and self-rated instruments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both groups, explanatory therapy was significantly associated with a reduction of hypochondriacal fears and beliefs, improvement in affective disturbances and anxiety sensitivity, and a decrease in health care utilization. Therapeutic gains were maintained at follow-up. Substantial residual symptomatology, however, remained.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that hypochondriasis is a treatable condition and that explanatory therapy is a viable therapeutic tool. Further research should disclose the actual components of the mechanism of change in hypochondriacal patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo, USA.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Fava
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grandi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rafanelli
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fabbri
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cazzaro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D006998:Hypochondriasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012803:Sick Role; D016896:Treatment Outcome