Authors: Walker, John R.; Furer, Patricia

Source: Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, Volume 22, Number 4, 2008 , pp. 366-378(13)

Publisher: Springer Publishing Company

Abstract:

The experience of health anxiety is seen in a range of different anxiety and somatoform disorders. Bodily sensations are often cues for anxiety or emotional distress in persons with problems with health anxiety and hypochondriasis. In treating these problems, there are advantages to including interoceptive exposure (IE) as a component of treatment. We explore the frequency of problems with bodily symptoms in community and clinical populations, the assessment of physical symptoms, and the theoretical rationale for the use of IE in treatment. This exposure strategy involves deliberately and repeatedly producing feared bodily sensations. Given that some of the anxiety-producing symptoms commonly seen in health anxiety are difficult to produce voluntarily, we also have clients use strategies involving deliberately focusing on existing bothersome sensations and using imaginal techniques to simulate body sensations. The goal of IE is to help the individual to be more accepting of and less distressed by the uncomfortable bodily symptoms. The integration of this approach with other treatment components for health anxiety, such as cognitive reappraisal, exposure to feared thoughts and behaviors, and reducing avoidance, is emphasized. Detailed guidelines for the application of IE with health anxiety are provided.

Keywords: HEALTH ANXIETY; EXPOSURE; COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOR THERAPY; SOMATIC SYMPTOMS

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/0889-8391.22.4.366

Publication date: 2008-11-01

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• Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy is devoted to the advancement of the clinical practice of cognitive psychotherapy. This scholarly journal seeks to merge theory, research, and practice and to develop new techniques by an examination of the clinical implications of theoretical development and research findings.
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