Treating Hypochondriasis with Interpersonal Psychotherapy

Authors: Stuart, Scott¹; Noyes, Russell²

Source: Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, Volume 35, Number 3, October 2005 , pp. 269-283(15)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

The treatment of hypochondriacal patients can be conceptualized as taking one of three approaches. These typically address one of the following questions: 1) “Should the patient be preoccupied?” 2) “Why is the patient preoccupied?” 3) “What are the interpersonal consequences of being preoccupied?” Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) is specifically designed to address the last of these questions. IPT focuses on understanding the patient’s real distress, exploring the patient’s maladaptive communications, and modifying those communications so that others are more able to meet the patient’s attachment needs. With a focus on communication in a time-limited frame, fostered by a strong collaborative relationship, IPT appears to be an effective method of reducing hypochondriacal behavior.

Keywords: hypochondriasis; interpersonal psychotherapy; attachment; interpersonal theory

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10879-005-4320-5

Affiliations: 1: Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, 1-293 Medical Education Building, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, Email: scott-stuart@uiowa.edu 2: Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, 1-293 Medical Education Building, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242,

Publication date: 2005-10-01