Hypochondriasis: Modern Perspectives on an Ancient Malady / Edition 1

by Vladan Starcevic, Don R. Lipsitt

Overview

Hypochondriasis remains controversial, despite its 2000-year history. Although it is considered a mental disorder, hypochondriasis is often regarded as a defense mechanism, peculiar cognitive/ perceptual style, means of nonverbal communication, response to stress, abnormal illness behavior, personality trait, distinct personality disturbance, and part of other mental disorders. Disagreements about etiology and pathogenesis of hypochondriasis go hand in hand with disagreements about its treatment. this book fills the need for a modern, balanced, in-depth, and integrative overview of hypochondriasis as a mental disorder with diverse manifestations. Written by world experts and from different perspectives, it aims to be a state-of-the-art text, demonstrating how the current concepts of hypochondriasis are linked with its rich history, critically examining diagnostic and nosologic issues and suggesting ways of overcoming the conceptual obstacles, describing current views on the etiology, pathogenesis and psychopathology, presenting main treatment approaches, and providing treatment guidelines. This book is intended for both practicing clinicians and researchers. An important resource for all psychiatrists, primary care physicians, clinical psychologists, and other mental health professionals, it will also be of interest for psychiatry residents, medical students, graduate students in clinical psychology, and lay public.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195126761
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	02/01/2001
Pages:	416
Product dimensions:	9.42(w) x 6.52(h) x 1.25(d)

About the Author

Starcevic, Vladan, MD (Univ of Belgrade); Lipsitt, Don R., MD (Harvard Medical School)

Table of Contents

IntroductionPART I: CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC CONSIDERATIONS1. Hypochondriasis: History of the Concept, German E. Berrios2. Clinical Features and Diagnosis of Hypochondriasis, Vladen Starcevic3. Assessment of Hypochondriasis, Anne E.M. Speckens4. Hypochondriasis and Anxiety Disorders, Giovanni A. Fava and Lara Mangelli5. Hypochondriasis and Personality Disturbance, Michael Hollifield6 Epidemiology of Hypochondriasis, Russell Noyes, Jr.7. Hypochondriasis in Primary Care, Laurence J. Kirmayer and karl J. LooperPART II: THEORETICAL AND ETIOLOGIC ASPECTS8. Psychodynamic Perspectives on Hypochondriasis, Don R. Lipsitt9. Meaning, Misinterpretations and Medicine: A Cognitive-Behavioral Approach to Understanding Health Anxiety and Hypochondriasis, Paul M. Salkovskis and Hilary M.C. Warwick10. Somatosensory Amplification and Hypochondriasis, Arthur J. Barsky11. Hypochondriasis, Abnormal Illness Behavior and Social Context, Issy PilowskyPART III: TREATMENT CONSIDERATIONS12. The Patient-Physician Relationship in the Treatment of Hypochondriasis, Don R. Lipsitt13. Reassurance in the Treatment of Hypochondriasis, Vladen Starcevic14. Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Hypochondriasis, Hilary M.C. Warwick and Paul M. Salkovskis15. Pharmacologic Strategies for Hypochondriasis, Brian A. FallonEPILOGUE, Don R. Lipsitt and Vladen StarcevicCoda, Don R. LipsittAppendices

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Michael Schrift, DO (University of Washington School of Medicine)
Description: This exceptional book cover reviews the current concepts of an ancient disorder known as hypochondriasis. Written and edited by internationally recognized researchers in the field, the book is a valuable contribution to the field.
Purpose: The purpose is to present a collection of chapters of the most recent research as well as to provide an integrative overview of hypochondriasis as a mental disorder with divers manifestations.
Audience: The intended audience is clinicians and researchers in psychiatry, psychology and primary care. Trainees should also be familiar with this material.
Features: This book features 402 pages divided into three sections and 15 chapters. The first section reviews clinical and diagnostic considerations with chapters on the history, clinical features, assessment, personality disturbances, epidemiology, and hypochondriasis in primary care. The second section covers theoretical and etiologic aspects with chapters on the psychodynamics of hypochondriasis cognitive-behavioral approach, somatosensory amplification, and abnormal illness behavior. The final section covers treatment issues with chapters on the patient-physician relationship, reassurance in the treatment, cognitive-behavioral treatment, and pharmacologic strategies. An added benefit is the appendixes with various scales used in patient assessment. Each chapter is well referenced and there is a useful index at the end of the book.
Assessment: This is an excellent and informative book on hypochondriasis. Any clinician or researcher in this field would benefit from reading it.

Doody's Review Service

3 Stars from Doody