1,721,051 research outputs found
Hypochondriasis: Clinical features, assessment and treatment
No full textThis editorial describes the contents of the thematic issue of Current Psychiatry Reviews concerning hypochondriasis and severe health anxiety. Eight review articles provide an update on clinical manifestations, epidemiology, comorbidity and differential diagnosis, personality correlates, cognitive and perceptual processes, dimensional assessment, psychotherapeutic techniques, and pharmacological strategies for hypochondriasis and severe health anxiety
Dataset for systematic review on the association between psychological defense mechanisms and self-injurious behaviors
No full textThis dataset consists of an Excel file developed to report the results of searches in electronic databases to review the literature on the association between psychological defense mechanisms and self-injurious behaviors. The electronic databases were searched from inception to 01/27/2025
Medically unexplained symptoms and general practitioners: A comprehensive survey about their attitudes, experiences and management strategies
No full textBackground. Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) are common in primary care and are one of the most challenging clinical encounters for general practitioners (GPs). Objective. To assess GPs' clinical experience with MUS and its relationship with their gender, age and length of practice. Methods. Four hundred and thirty-three Italian GPs were invited to complete a questionnaire encompassing the following MUS-related features: workload, cognitive and emotional responses, management strategies, attitudes towards psychological interventions, sources of education and educational needs. Results. A total of 347 GPs (80.1%) participated in the study. About seven out of ten physicians spent 'much' or 'very much' time and energy for MUS during their daily practice. Fear of neglecting a medical disease was the most frequent (59.1%) response to MUS. Providing reassurance and support (73.8%) and listening to the patient (69.2%) were the most frequent management strategies. More than half of GPs rated psychological interventions as 'much' or 'very much' useful for MUS. However, only a third of GPs were well informed about the role of psychologists in MUS management. The main sources of education about MUS were scientific papers and continuing medical education courses. Most of GPs (77.5%) needed further education about MUS. GPs' younger age and lower length of practice were significantly associated with negative emotional responses to MUS. Conclusion. The introduction of guidelines for MUS in Italian primary care settings would promote a collaborative clinical approach to MUS and more formal training on this topic
Anxiety sensitivity in the general population: association with demographic features, psychological distress, personality, and coping strategies
No full text
Manifestations of health anxiety in patients with heart transplant
Full text linkBackground: Health anxiety is an important component of psychological adjustment to chronic medical conditions. However, it has been overlooked after heart transplantation.
Objectives: To examine demographic, clinical, and psychological correlates of health anxiety in heart transplanted patients and to compare health anxiety between patients and a sample of matched controls from the general population.
Methods: The study design was observational. Seventy-three cardiac recipients and 73 controls completed the Illness Attitude Scales and the Symptom Questionnaire. Patients' clinical parameters were collected.
Results: Health anxiety was significantly associated with clinical variables suggesting a worse outcome, especially a higher NYHA class and occurrence of cancer. Compared to controls, patients had significantly more "hypochondriacal responses" (32.9% vs. 16.4%), an index of clinically significant health anxiety.
Conclusions: Health anxiety affects a significant subset of heart transplanted patients and deserves a thorough assessment. Cardiologists' and nurses' specific communication skills and psychological treatment strategies may be necessary
- …
