Group cognitive and behavioural treatment for hypochondriasis

Abstract

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

Design: Assessment of patients referred for therapy.

Setting: District general hospital.

Patients: 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.

Main outcome measures: 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).

Conclusion: It is feasible to carry out group cognitive and behavioural treatment in patients with hypochondriasis, and controlled studies are now indicated.