Treating Health Anxiety

Steven Taylor, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia. He is Associate Editor of the Journal of Obsessive–Compulsive and Related Disorders and previously served as Editor of the Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy and Associate Editor of Behaviour Research and Therapy. Dr. Taylor's research focuses on the etiology and treatment of anxiety and related disorders, conceptualized from a biopsychosocial perspective. His work has been recognized with awards from the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, and the Canadian Psychological Association, among others. He has authored over 300 scientific journal articles and book chapters and several books.Gordon J. G. Asmundson, PhD, is professor and research director in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies at the University of Regina, Canada, and adjunct professor of psychiatry at the University of Saskatchewan. He has published more than 110 journal articles and book chapters, as well as several books, and served as a member of the DSM-IV Text Revision Work Group for the Anxiety Disorders. An active clinical researcher and research supervisor, Dr. Asmundson has received several prestigious early career awards. His current interests include assessment and basic mechanisms of the anxiety disorders, health anxiety, and acute and chronic pain, and the association of these with disability and behavior change.

This excellent volume provides a comprehensive, scholarly, and well-organized discussion of health anxiety, rigorously addressing both what we know and don't know about it. Treatment is discussed in a way that is both conceptually elegant and practically useful. Filling a gap in the literature, this is an extremely valuable resource for the student and the clinician interested in learning about health anxiety and its treatment.--Arthur J. Barsky, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolTaylor and Asmundson, two of the most respected experts on this topic, have assembled the world's first book on treating health anxiety and hypochondriasis. The authors have achieved a perfect balance between reviewing the available research, setting forth a coherent theoretical framework, and providing detailed, practical advice for clinicians. This comprehensive book is rich in clinical case material, and is filled with helpful tables and handouts. It is ideal for practitioners, researchers, and students with an interest in health anxiety. All future books on health anxiety will surely be measured against this outstanding text.--Martin M. Antony, PhD, ABPP, Anxiety Treatment and Research Centre, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaTaylor and Asmundson have written a unique, state-of-the-art, and truly evidence-based book in which empirical findings and clinical applications are linked in an exemplary fashion. A wealth of information is provided on understanding and treating health anxiety and hypochondriasis from a cognitive-behavioral perspective. The book's message is aptly conveyed by its clear presentation of research summaries, practical guidelines, and case illustrations. Both researchers and clinicians will find this book a real asset. It may also serve as a comprehensive text for advanced students, interns, and residents in mental health disciplines.--Theo K. Bouman, PhD, Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands-

• 1. What Is Health Anxiety?2. Body and Mind: Biological and Cognitive Factors3. Behavioral Factors and Their Consequences4. Learning Experiences and the Development of Health Anxiety5. Treatments: A Review of the Research6. Assessment and Case Formulation7. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: An Overview8. Treatment Engagement Strategies9. Cognitive Interventions10. Behavioral Methods11. Stress Management12. Extending and Maintaining Treatment GainsAppendices: Instruments for Assessing Health Anxiety