Hypochondriasis or Health Anxiety

Abstract

Hypochondriasis describes a persistent preoccupation with the possibility of having one or more serious and progressive physical disorders. There is a continuum between normal health anxiety and persistent, disabling hypochondriasis. Interviews and self-administered questionnaires used to diagnose hypochondriasis are described and the question whether it is best considered a somatoform or an anxiety disorder is discussed. The best documented treatment is cognitive-behavioral therapy, and how this is performed, including mindfulness techniques, is described. Health anxiety is still underrecognized, and with the advent of focused, time-limited and effective therapy it deserves increased attention even in primary care settings.