Cognitive behaviour therapy can reduce hypochondriasis

doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7442.725-a

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Scott Gottlieb

New York

Short term, individualised cognitive behaviour therapy can have long term benefits in reducing the symptoms of hypochondriasis in patients who are willing to try a psychological approach to treatment, a study has shown.

Until now no specific treatment has been shown to be effective against hypochondriasis, defined as a persistent fear of or belief in having a serious undiagnosed illness. Occurring in an estimated 5% of patients, the condition has been considered refractory to psychological and drug treatment.

In the …