Hypochondriasis: an Evaluation of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Its Effectiveness

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Hypochondriasis: An evaluation of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and its effectiveness Hypochondriasis also known as Health Anxiety is a recurring conundrum in primary and secondary medical care which has a considerable burden on health facilities. A mole equals skin cancer, a headache equals a tumour, the course of thought a hypochondriac goes through. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV (DSM-IV), hypochondriasis is an unrealistic explanation of bodily feelings as irregular leading to anxiety and the conviction that one has a serious disease. According to the Self Care Campaign Group £2 billion is what hypochondriasis is costing the NHS every year and a fifth of GP appointments are accountable for common treatable ailments (Martin, D., Newspaper, 2010). Hypochondriasis is so overwhelming that it causes problems with work or relationships in one’s life and if it is severe it can be completely disabling. It is similarly common in women, men and even in children as well but is usually seen in people aged between 20 and 30 years old. Emotionally the symptoms are measured by anger or an expression of guilt as a result anxiety and distress coexist with hypochondriasis. On the behavioural aspect symptoms are to play sick which helps to escape from obligations and postpone unwelcome challenges. Signs of health anxiety have little inclination to an impulsive solution and will continue for months or years if treatment is not offered. This serious pathology has a failed detection due to perhaps a belief that there is inadequate treatment. It is evident that there is no single explanation to identify the source and causes of hypochondriasis considering the array of theories formulated about it. Pharmacological treatment is largely insufficient but psychotherapy treatment in the procedure of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy has been proven to be successful
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