Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-fbnjt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T12:25:05.925Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Cognitive-Behavioural Bibliotherapy for Hypochondriasis: A Pilot Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 May 2009

Femke M. Buwalda  and
Theo K. Bouman
Femke M. Buwalda
Affiliation:
Groningen University, The Netherlands
Theo K. Bouman*
Affiliation:
Groningen University, The Netherlands
*
Reprint requests to Theo Bouman, Groningen University, Department of Clinical and Developmental Psychology, Grote Kruisstraat 2/1, Groningen 9712 TS, The Netherlands. E-mail: t.k.bouman@rug.nl.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Aims: The present study aims to determine whether cognitive-behavioural minimal contact bibliotherapy is acceptable to participants suffering from DSM-IV-TR hypochondriasis, and whether this intervention is able to reduce hypochondriacal complaints, as well as comorbid depressive complaints and trait anxiety. Method: Participants were assigned to either an immediate treatment condition, or subsequently to a waiting list condition. Participants were sent a book, Doctor, I Hope it's Nothing Serious?, containing cognitive behavioural theory and exercises. Measures were taken pre, post and at follow-up (after 3 months). Those in the waiting list group received a second pre-assessment, and were then enrolled in the bibliotherapy. Results: Results showed that participants were accepting of the cognitive-behavioural theory. Furthermore, results showed beneficial effects of the intervention: all effect measures decreased significantly over time, with the largest effect at post-assessment. However, a large amount of questionnaires were not returned. Conclusion: It is concluded that bibliotherapy may be an efficient aid in reducing hypochondriacal and comorbid complaints, but due to data attrition and methodological flaws should first be studied further.

Keywords

Bibliotherapyhypochondriasispsychoeducationcognitive-behavioural treatment
Type
Brief Clinical Reports
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 37 , Issue 3 , May 2009 , pp. 335 - 340
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Abramowitz, J. S. and Braddock, A. E. (2008). Psychological Treatment of Health Anxiety and Hypochondriasis: a biopsychosocial approach. Cambridge MA: Hogrefe and Huber.Google Scholar
Beck, A. T., Rush, A. J., Shaw, B. F. and Emery, G. (1979). Cognitive Therapy of Depression. New York: Guilford.Google Scholar
Bouman, T. K., Luteijn, F., Albersnagel, F. A. and Van Der Ploeg, F. A. E. (1985). Enige ervaringen met de Beck Depression Inventory [some experiences with the Beck Depression Inventory]. Gedrag, 13, 13–21.Google Scholar
Bouman, T. K. and Visser, S. (1993). Dokter, het is toch niets ernstigs? [Doctor, I hope it's nothing serious?]. Amsterdam: Boom.Google Scholar
Brown, T. A., DiNardo, P. A., Lehman, C. L. and Campbell, L. A. (2001). Reliability of DSM-IV anxiety and mood disorders: implications for the classification of emotional disorders, Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 110, 49–58.Google Scholar
DiNardo, P. A., Brown, T. A. and Barlow, D. H. (1994). Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-IV: life time version. Albany: Graywind.Google Scholar
Gould, R. A., Clum, G. A. and Shapiro, D. (1993). The use of bibliotherapy in the treatment of panic: a preliminary investigation. Behavior Therapy, 24, 241–252.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jacobson, N. S. and Truax, P. (1991). Clinical significance: a statistical approach to defining meaningful change in psychotherapy research. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 59, 12–19.Google Scholar
Jones, F. A. (2002). The role of bibliotherapy in health anxiety: an experimental study. British Journal of Community Nursing, 7, 498–503.Google Scholar
Van der Ploeg, H. M., Defares, P. B. and Spielberger, C. D. (1980). Handleiding bij de Zelfbeoordelingsvragenlijst (ZBV) [manual for the STAI]. Lisse: Swets and Zeitlinger.Google Scholar
Visser, S. (2000). Hypochondriasis: assessment and treatment. Dissertation: University of Groningen, The Netherlands.Google Scholar
Supplementary material: File

Buwalda supplementary material

Extended report.doc

Download Buwalda supplementary material(File)
File 124.9 KB
Submit a response

Comments

No Comments have been published for this article.