The relevance of health anxiety to chronic pain: research findings and recommendations for assessment and treatment

Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2003 Apr;7(2):98-104. doi: 10.1007/s11916-003-0019-z.

Abstract

Health anxiety is a dimensional construct that is characterized by extreme concern about one's health at one end of the continuum and lack of concern about health on the other. Research evidence is consistent with the notion that high levels of health anxiety among patients with pain represent a poor prognostic indicator. Moreover, the experience of chronic pain can serve to increase health anxiety levels. This article concludes with a series of practical recommendations to assist practitioners in the assessment and management of patients with health anxiety.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anxiety Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Anxiety Disorders / etiology*
  • Anxiety Disorders / therapy
  • Biomedical Research*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Health Status*
  • Humans
  • Pain / complications*
  • Pain / diagnosis*
  • Pain Management