Behavioral treatment for Lisa consisted of gradually exposing her to stimuli that caused her fear and anxiety. She was asked to refrain from speaking to doctors, friends, and family about the diseases. She also refrained from checking her vital signs. She was asked to imagine that her headaches were indeed a sign of a tumor. Over time, Lisa learned that her fears did not make sense and learned not to become anxious or concerned with minor physical symptoms.
Cognitive therapy involves challenging and altering faulty thinking patterns.
It is believed that faulty beliefs lead to negative emotions and behaviors. In cognitive therapy, patients learn to first identify faulty thinking patterns, challenge these thoughts and finally derive more constructive beliefs. It is believed that constructive thoughts lead to more positive emotions and behaviors Patients with hypochondriasis are helped to accept alternate and more rational explanations for their physical complaints by challenging the belief that unusual or uncomfortable physical symptoms must indicate a serious illness. After the patient is able to generate alternate explanations for symptoms, therapy focuses on challenging the need for guarantees. Patients are taught to acknowledge that there is a degree of risk in everyday life and one must accept these risks rather than try to control them.