Health anxiety

Hedman‐Lagerlöf, Erik; Tyrer, Peter; Hague, John; Tyrer, Helen

doi:10.1136/bmj.l774

Cited by 12 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Internal consistency was very strong in this sample (α = .97). Health anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Bodily Preoccupation Scale of the Illness Attitude scale (Hedman-Lagerlöf, Tyrer, Hague, & Tyrer, 2019 ; Weck, Bleichhardt, & Hiller, 2010 ). It comprises three items measuring attention to and worry about bodily sensations, with responses provided on a 5-point scale ranging 0 = no to 4 = most of the time .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Diagnosis was determined if participants endorsed the item of ‘feeling little interest or pleasure in doing things or ‘feeling down, depressed or hopeless’ and at least 4 more symptoms. For health anxiety, a summed score of at least 6 on the Bodily Preoccupation Scale of the Illness Attitude scale represented probable health anxiety diagnosis as previously validated (Hedman-Lagerlöf et al, 2019 ; Weck et al, 2010 ). We additionally assessed the probable diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder, measured by the GAD-7 (Spitzer, Kroenke, Williams, & Lowe, 2006 ), which is a 7 item measure indexing anxiety symptoms in the past 2 weeks with responses provided on a 4 point scale ranging from 0 = Not at all to 3 = Nearly every day (internal consistency was strong, α = 0.95).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The association between COVID-19 related stressors and mental health in refugees living in Australia

Liddell

O’Donnell

Bryant

et al. 2021

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

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Background Refugees may be particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health due to their traumatic pasts and the challenges of the postmigration environment. Objective To evaluate the prevalence of COVID-19 related stressors and their relationship to key mental health and functioning outcomes in a resettled refugee sample. Method N = 656 refugees and asylum seekers living in Australia completed a survey in June 2020 to index their mental health (posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, health anxiety and disability) and COVID-19 experiences. The relationship between COVID-19 stressors and mental health was examined using a series of hierarchical linear regression models while controlling for other key demographic factors. Results Refugees’ most prevalent stressors related to worries of being infected by COVID-19 or the risk COVID-19 posed to others, which predicted health anxiety and PTSD. Social-related difficulties predicted depression and disability symptoms. Accessing and trusting information from authorities were the least prevalent stressors and were not significantly associated with mental health outcomes; neither was accessing basic supplies and financial support. Fears relating to the future such as concerns about visa application processes predicted health anxiety and disability. Crucially, the strongest predictor of all mental health outcomes was COVID-19 serving as a reminder of difficult past events. Conclusions Refugees may be uniquely affected by COVID-19 because the pandemic serves as a reminder of their past conflict and persecution trauma. It is critical that mental health strategies accommodate the specific needs of refugees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The association between COVID-19 related stressors and mental health in refugees living in Australia

Liddell

O’Donnell

Bryant

et al. 2021

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Do you think that you have a more serious condition than doctors have thought or found? 10 A clearly positive response to any of these questions should lead to the presumption of health anxiety if other investigations are negative. Negative responses to these questions, especially ones such as 'No, I just want these awful symptoms to be taken away,' suggest a more typical functional disorder that may be managed according to current guidance.…”

Section: Maximising the Value Of The Medical And Nursing Interviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Initial assessment of patients with putative functional disorders in medical settings

et al. 2021

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Patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of functional disorder are very frequent in practice. While it is always necessary to exclude treatable organic pathology, there are important clues in the presentation that can help the clinician. In particular, it is important to identify pathological health anxiety early in assessment, as failure to do so may lead to unnecessary investigations and the dangerous path of reinforcing reassurance. Because full assessment of functional symptoms takes time, it is suggested that a clinical support nurse with some training in psychological management should be available to guide the management of the patients with these disorders. Such support nurses, based in the clinic, offer a seamless way of providing care that is not achieved by external referral to psychologists or equivalent staff.

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“…These actions are usually counter-productive as they reinforce the abnormal health beliefs. 7,8 This is because supportive, well-meaning actions, though helpful to most people, are interpreted very differently by the health anxious patient ( Table 1).…”

Section: How Are Patients With Health Anxiety Currently Treated In Homentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is only necessary to ask a few simple questions. 8 > Do you worry a lot about your health? > What is the worst thing you fear that could happen?…”

Section: Peter Tyrermentioning

confidence: 99%

Why health anxiety needs to be recognised in hospital practice

Tyrer

2020

Clinical Medicine

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Health anxiety, formerly part of hypochondriasis, but now reformulated as excessive concern about health and, by extension, illness, comprises a large proportion of consultations in hospital practice. For too long it has been ignored in practice and not formally treated. This belief is no longer tenable, and in the last few years a number of easily administered psychological treatments have shown consistent benefit that help patients, practitioners and planners of services. A stepped care approach in which physicians and nurses are first helped to identify health anxiety, explain its significance to patients and then, if necessary, administer these treatments in the clinical setting without referral to psychiatric services, is recommended as a way forward. This approach should be embraced in secondary care.

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Health anxiety

Cited by 12 publications

References 14 publications

The association between COVID-19 related stressors and mental health in refugees living in Australia

The association between COVID-19 related stressors and mental health in refugees living in Australia

Initial assessment of patients with putative functional disorders in medical settings

Why health anxiety needs to be recognised in hospital practice

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