Follow up of Patients Treated With Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Hypochondria From 1997 to 2007

Hypochondriasis

Hypochondria, Cognitive behavioural therapy, Long term follow-up, Psychosomatics, Psychotherapy

Research has shown that cognitive behavioural therapy is effective in treating hypochondria. However, no studies have examined the long term effect. The investigators have followed 56 patients treated for hypochondria between 1997 and 2001 and the investigators are now doing a 10 year follow-up (Part I). In another part of the study (Part II) the investigators compare the effect of 16 sessions vs. 5 sessions, with a follow-up period of at least 2 years. The investigators hypothesis is that the initial 1 year improvement will be sustained and that 5 sessions will yield the same results as 16 sessions.

The follow-up includes a telephone interview by independent researcher and the patients fill in the following questionnaires: Whiteley Index (measures health anxiety), VAS-scales for health anxiety, worrying about symptoms and body checking, SF-36 (health related quality of life), Giessen Subjective Complaints List, Spielberger Trait and State Anxiety Scale Beck Depression Inventory, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ 28), Somatic Amplification Scale,

Norway