Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of individual explanatory therapy in hypochondriasis. Method: 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. Conclusion: 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

Fava, G., Grandi, S., Rafanelli, C., Fabbri, S., Cazzaro, M. (2000). Explanatory therapy in hypochondriasis. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHIATRY, 61(4), 317-322 [10.4088/JCP.v61n0414].

Explanatory therapy in hypochondriasis

Cazzaro, M.
2000

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of individual explanatory therapy in hypochondriasis. Method: 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. Conclusion: 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
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
explanatory therapy; hypochondriasis; residual symptoms; DSM-IV; permutation test
English
2000
61
4
317
322
none
Fava, G., Grandi, S., Rafanelli, C., Fabbri, S., Cazzaro, M. (2000). Explanatory therapy in hypochondriasis. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHIATRY, 61(4), 317-322 [10.4088/JCP.v61n0414].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/3992
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