Enhancing Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Monosymptomatic Hypochondriasis With Motivational Interviewing: Three Case Illustrations

Document Type

Article

Keywords

cognitive therapy, monosymptomatic hypochondriasis, motivational interviewing, overvalued ideation

Disciplines

Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Abstract

Monosymptomatic hypochondriasis (MSH) is frequently referred to as a delusional variant of hypochondriasis. Treatment is typically difficult to initiate and complete for this condition. This article describes three uncontrolled cases of MSH where cognitive-behavioral therapy was administered following an initial phase of motivational interviewing. Cognitive-behavioral therapy consisted of combinations of exposure and cognitive therapy. At treatment termination and 6-month follow-up, all three clients showed improvement on measures of depression, anxiety, and belief conviction of the presence of illness. Implications for treatment and future research on MSH are discussed.

Article Number

1072

Publication Date

2008

Peer Reviewed

1

Comments

APA Citation: McKay, D. & Bouman, T. (2008). Enhancing cognitive-behavioral therapy for monosymptomatic hypochondriasis with motivational interviewing: Three case illustrations. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 22(2), 154-166.

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