Hypochondriac Beliefs and Behavior in Patients with Somatoform Disorders: Relationship to Somatic Complaints and Subjective Well-Being

Abstract

Background: studies of the psychological mechanisms of perpetuation and quality of life in patients with somatoform disorders are important for identifying targets for psychological interventions and defi ning risk groups. Aim: to reveal specifi c hypochondriac beliefs and behavior in patients with somatoform disorders related to severity of somatic complaints and subjective well-being. Patients and methods: 100 patients with somatoform disorders were assessed by using Screening for Somatoform Symptoms, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Cognitions About Body And Health Questionnaire, Scale for the Assessment of Illness Behaviour, and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-18. Results: level of somatoform symptoms is higher in patients with a tendency to catastrophize bodily sensations, autonomic disfunction, mental scanning for bodily symptoms, and disturbances in daily activities due to illness. Regardless of somatoform symptoms’ severity, subjective well-being is lower in patients with belief in bodily weakness and somatosensory amplifi cation, autonomic sensations, expression of symptoms, and changes in daily activities due to illness. Conclusions: the results are discussed in the context of possible psychological and behavioral factors in the perpetuation of somatoform disorders. Patients of older age are at risk of perpetuation of somatoform disorders due to a greater tendency to catastrophize bodily sensations and higher belief in bodily weakness.