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Health anxiety, formerly termed hypochondriasis and now illness anxiety disorder in DSM-5, causes distress and increased healthcare costs. Researchers in Scandinavia performed a randomized, waitlist-controlled trial of group acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT-G) for health anxiety in 126 patients with severe health anxiety and without psychosis or bipolar disorder (mean age, 36; 71% female). ACT uses acceptance, mindfulness, and behavioral-change strategies to help patients accept feared and avoided thoughts, feelings, and memories; clarify personal values; and commit to and pursue behavior change.
The waitlist condition included usual care and a letter to the primary care provider with general recommendations for management. ACT-G, deli…