Exposure therapy changes dysfunctional evaluations of somatic symptoms in patients with hypochondriasis (health anxiety). A randomized controlled trial

Changes in Free Symptom Attributions in Hypochondriasis after Cognitive Therapy and Exposure Therapy

“…Based on the results of Neng and Weck (2015), we also expected to find no changes in attributions regarding mild diseases (Hypothesis 2a) or psychological attributions (Hypothesis 2b). Furthermore, in line with the recent findings of Weck, Neng, Schwind et al (2015), we hypothesized that changes in attributions would not differ between the CT and ET groups (Hypothesis 3).…”

Maladaptive repetitive thought as a transdiagnostic phenomenon and treatment target: An integrative review

“…Through repeated exposure to troubling interoceptive symptoms, clients begin to view these symptoms as normal bodily processes rather than as threatening and dangerous (Boswell et al., ). For example, in a trial of exposure therapy in patients with hypochondriasis, exposure reduced dysfunctional evaluations of somatic symptoms (Weck, Neng, Schwind, & Höfling, ). We suggest that interoceptive exposure may be a particularly effective treatment approach for interoceptive RT; as with exposure and response prevention, repeated exposure in a therapeutic environment may impact the valence and perceived controllability of the RT.…”

Cost-effectiveness and long-term follow-up of three forms of minimal-contact cognitive behaviour therapy for severe health anxiety: Results from a randomised controlled trial

“…There is preliminary evidence that the effect of G-ICBT on core features of health anxiety (disease conviction and fear and worry about illness) is mediated by lowered perceived risk of disease, less attention devoted to symptoms, and reduced intolerance of uncertainty, but not perceived awfulness of disease 242 . Based on a more loose conceptualisation of mediation as purely an interaction of growth curves, the waiting-list controlled effect of FTF-CBT on health anxiety also appears to be mediated by a reduction in dysfunctional attributions of bodily symptoms 184 , and the effect G-ICBT over and above behavioural stress management on health anxiety appears to be mediated by an increase in non-reactivity to inner experiences 243 ; the ability to experience emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations without reacting on them 244 .…”