Unified CBT for Health Anxiety & Somatic Symptom Disorders
Presenter(s)
Dr. Sanjay Rao
This course will review the phenomenology and DSM-5 diagnoses of these disorders. The CBT approach and evidence will be discussed. Attendees will work with a step by step protocol with suitable modifications to address each of these conditions.
Health or illness anxiety and Somatic Symptom Disorders are related but different conditions, which often become a challenge for therapists and family physicians. They have a significant co-morbidity with mental health disorders and medical conditions. Not managing these conditions can lead to disability and increased cost of healthcare due to frequent presentations, investigations and treatments. Avoiding unwarranted treatments is crucial to improving the clients’ wellbeing.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a well-established treatment for these conditions, but a generic CBT approach may not yield success. Treatment of these conditions requires knowledge of CBT specific to these disorders.
This course will review the phenomenology and DSM-5 diagnoses of these disorders. The CBT approach and evidence will be discussed. Attendees will work with a step by step protocol with suitable modifications to address each of these conditions.