Treating Health Anxiety: A Cognitive-Behavioral Approach [Hardcover]

Steven Taylor Phd (Author), Gordon J. G. Asmundson PhD (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1572309989 | ISBN-13: 978-1572309982 | Publication Date: February 13, 2004 | Edition: 1

Grounded in current theory and treatment research, this highly practical book presents a comprehensive framework for assessing and treating health anxiety, including full-blown and milder (subclinical) forms of hypochondriasis. The current state of knowledge about these prevalent and costly problems is reviewed, and assessment methods and empirically supported treatments described. Clear, step-by-step recommendations are provided for engaging patients or clients, implementing carefully planned cognitive and behavioral interventions, and troubleshooting potential pitfalls. Important advances in pharmacotherapy for persons with health anxiety disorders are also discussed. Enhancing the utility of this clinician- and student-friendly resource are numerous case examples and sample dialogues, quick-reference tables and boxed material, and over 20 reproducible handouts and assessment forms.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"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 School

"Taylor 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, Canada

"Taylor 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

About the Author

Steven Taylor, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia, Canada. He has published more than 130 journal articles and book chapters, as well as six books, and served as a consultant on the recent text revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR). The recipient of several prestigious early career awards, Dr. Taylor is actively involved in clinical teaching and supervision, and maintains a private practice in Vancouver, Canada. His interests include cognitive-behavioral treatments and mechanisms of anxiety disorders and related conditions.

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.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 299 pages
• Publisher: The Guilford Press; 1 edition (February 13, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572309989
• ISBN-13: 978-1572309982
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #168,815 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Doctors Should Read This, August 7, 2009

By 

Charlotte Sometimes (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Treating Health Anxiety: A Cognitive-Behavioral Approach (Hardcover)

While this book is geared more toward doctors and researchers on health anxiety, I found it to be IMMENSELY helpful to me as well. I'm not a doctor and I'm not a health professional. I'm just someone who has had "health anxiety" (a term that doctors apparently aren't aware of yet) and it helped me to overcome many issues regarding this mental state.

It helped me to understand how doctors think, why they do and say the things they do, and what you can do to help yourself.
Basically, if you have health anxiety, GET THIS BOOK because it will help you to realize that you're NOT crazy and there are very real reasons why you feel the way you do. More importantly, it will help you to understand that most doctors unfortunately don't have the time to care as much as they could and should. They have to make money too, you know!

There is help out there for the suffering you feel. I sought help for many years through "professionals," but honestly this book helped me more than they did.

7 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A seminal contribution with emphasis on the practical, October 5, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Treating Health Anxiety: A Cognitive-Behavioral Approach (Hardcover)

The collaborative work of clinical psychologist Steven Taylor (Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Canada) and professor of psychiatry Gordon Asmundson (Research Director, Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies, University of Regina, Canada), Treating Health Anxiety: A Cognitive-Behavioral Approach is a solid, in-depth resource focusing especially on helping those people for whom fears of contracting a serious illness cause excessive, serious, and chronic problems with day-to-day life. Reviewing current knowledge about health anxiety disorders, stressing the need for continuing collaboration between Cognitive-Behavioral practitioners and primary care physicians, outlining recent advances in the treatment of health anxieties, and much more, Treating Health Anxiety is a seminal contribution with emphasis on the practical and a welcome contribution to mental health reference shelves.