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A Controlled Trial of Cognitive–Behavioural Treatment of Hypochondriasis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Hilary M. C. Warwick ,
David M. Clark ,
Andrew M. Cobb  and
Paul M. Salkovskis
Hilary M. C. Warwick*
Affiliation:
University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, currently at the Department of General Psychiatry, St George's Hospital Medical School
David M. Clark
Affiliation:
University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital
Andrew M. Cobb
Affiliation:
Professorial Unit, Warneford Hospital
Paul M. Salkovskis
Affiliation:
University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX
*
Dr H. M. C. Warwick, Department of General Psychiatry, St George's Hospital Medical School, Blackshaw Road, London SW17 0RE
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Abstract

Background

Hypochondriasis is a distressing disorder for which there is no adequate established treatment. This study evaluates the effect of cognitive–behavioural treatment of hypochondriasis, compared with a waiting list control.

Method

Thirty-two patients were randomly assigned to either cognitive–behavioural therapy or a no treatment waiting list control. Cognitive–behavioural treatment consisted of 16 individual treatment sessions over a four-month period. The waiting list control lasted for four months and was followed by 16 sessions of cognitive–behavioural treatment. Assessments were made before allocation and after treatment or waiting list control. Patients who had cognitive–behavioural treatment were reassessed three months after completion of treatment.

Results

Paired comparisons on post-treatment/wait scores indicated that the cognitive–behavioural group showed significantly greater improvements than the waiting list on all but one patient rating, all therapist ratings and all assessor ratings. After three months the benefits of therapy were maintained.

Conclusions

Cognitive–behavioural treatment is an effective therapy for hypochondriasis. Implications of the study are discussed.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 169 , Issue 2 , August 1996 , pp. 189 - 195
Copyright
Copyright © 1996 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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