Att leva med hälsoångest är komplext då det ofta inte föreligger någon kroppslig sjukdom utan den som lever med hälsoångest har en ständig rädsla för att ha eller få en allvarlig sjukdom. Detta är något som är oerhört påfrestande för individen och påverkar sjukvården genom frekventa vårdtillfällen. Syftet med denna studie var att studera personers upplevelser av att leva med hälsoångest. En litteraturstudie på narrativ tillämpades där sex stycken bloggar analyserades. Resultatet utgjordes av tre huvudkategorier och sex subkategorier. De huvudkategorier som framkom var; Att rädslan är ständigt närvarande och påtaglig; Att försöka hitta sätt att klara av hälsoångesten och hålla sig flytande i vardagen; Att andras bemötande och förhållningssätt får betydelse för måendet. Kunskapen av denna studie ämnar till att öka förståelsen för hur det är att leva med hälsoångest och därmed på ett bättre sätt kunna bemöta samt hjälpa personer som lider utav detta. / Living with health anxiety is complex because usually physical illness is not present. Instead it is a constant fear of having or going to have a severe disease. This is something that is extremely strenuous for the individual and is also strenuous for the healthcare system because the person with health anxiety often seeks medical attention. The aim of this study was to examine the experiences of people living with health anxiety. A literature study of narratives was applied, and six blogs were analyzed. The analysis resulted in three main categories and six sub-categories. The three main categories that emerged were:  That fear is constantly present and palpable; Trying to find ways to cope with the healthanxiety and keep themselves floating in the daily life; That others’ responses and approaches to the suffering individuals has a great impact on their wellbeing.This study aspires to increase the understanding of living with health anxiety and thus to be better able to respond to and help people who suffer from this.

The aim of the work presented in this thesis, was to investigate two general hypotheses derived from theories of the development and maintenance of medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) and health anxiety; that individual differences in attention to the body and somatic awareness contribute to the experience of physical symptoms and health anxiety. Three studies (an analogue pilot study, a prospective cohort study with primary care patients, and an analogue study involving a negative mood induction) were conducted to investigate the relationship between attention, somatic awareness, symptom reporting and health anxiety. In the pilot study, enhanced attentional disengagement from neutral material was associated with health anxiety and delayed disengagement from neutral material was associated with symptom reporting. In the primary care study, enhanced disengagement from neutral body-irrelevant material and delayed disengagement from threatening body-relevant material were independently associated with health care utilisation, but not symptom reporting or health anxiety. However, the longitudinal analysis revealed that attentional disengagement was neither a predictor of, or predicted by, health care utilisation. The tendency to experience distortions in somatic awareness was independently associated with symptom reporting, health anxiety and health care utilisation. Longitudinal analysis revealed that symptom reporting and health anxiety were independent predictors of somatic distortion, but that somatic distortion was not a predictor of symptom reporting or health anxiety. The results of a structural equation modeling analysis suggest that a model including both attentional disengagement and the tendency to experience distortions in somatic awareness improves understanding of symptom reporting, health anxiety and health care utilisation. In the negative mood induction study, however, neither attentional disengagement nor the tendency to experience distortions in somatic awareness were significantly associated with symptom reporting or health anxiety. The evidence presented here suggests that complex attentional processes may be associated with health seeking behaviours, possibly via a third unknown variable. This evidence, however, does not support the often-hypothesised general attentional bias for the body as a causative factor in the development of health anxiety or symptom reporting. This research has provided important evidence about attentional differences and how future research might extend the findings reported here. Furthermore, the findings regarding the tendency to experience distortions in somatic awareness provides empirical support for theories that suggest MUS may be associated with a tendency to place greater weight on top-down factors in the creation of somatic awareness (Brown, 2004; Edwards et al., 2013). However, whilst alterations in somatic awareness may be a maintenance factor for symptom reporting and health anxiety, somatic distortion may not be a causative factor in their development.

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Bakgrund Hälsoångest är ett psykiatriskt tillstånd som kännetecknas av en stark oro att drabbas av sjukdom. I en alltmer digitaliserad värld ökar förekomsten av hälsoinformation online vilket skulle kunna vara problematiskt för denna patientgrupp, därför är sjuksköterskans kärnkompetens informatik och e-hälsa viktig. Syfte Beskriva användning av hälsoinformation online hos personer med hälsoångest. Metod Studien genomfördes som en litteraturöversikt. Sökningar efter befintliga artiklar genomfördes i CINAHL, PubMed och PsycInfo. Resultatet innehåller elva artiklar (publicerade år 2012–2021) som har analyserats och sammanställts. Resultat Personer med hälsoångest som söker hälsoinformation online påverkades negativt i form av nedsatt livskvalitet samt påverkan på socialt liv och arbete/utbildning. Bristande källkritik ledde till att desinformation skapar obefogad oro. Slutsats En av sjuksköterskans kärnkompetenser är att utveckla informatik och E-hälsa vilket ställer krav på att sjuksköterskan ska ha god kunskap i hantering av online-hälsotjänster och kunna vägleda patienterna i att söka evidensbaserad och kvalitetssäkrad hälsoinformation på internet. / Background Health anxiety is a psychiatric condition that is characterized by a strong anxiety to suffer from disease. In an increasingly digitalized world, the prevalence of health information online is increasing, which could be problematic for this patient group, which is why the nurse's core competence in informatics and e-health is important. Aim Describe the use of health information online in people with health anxiety. Method The study was conducted as a literature review. Searches for existing articles were conducted in CINAHL, PubMed and PsycInfo. The result contains eleven articles (published in 2012-2021) that have been analyzed and compiled. Results People with health anxiety who searching for health information online were negatively affected in the form of reduced quality of life and the impact on social life and work / education. Lack of source criticism led to misinformation that created unjustified concern. Conclusions One of the nurse's core competencies is to develop informatics and e-health, which places demands on the nurse to have good knowledge in handling online health services and be able to guide patients in searching for evidence-based and quality-assured health information on the internet.

DSM-IV-TR classifies hypochondriasis as a complex somatoform disorder, characterised by physical complaints for which no organic cause could be identified. DSM-5 replaced it with two new diagnostic terms: somatic symptoms disorder and illness anxiety disorder. The distinction was based on the presence or absence of somatic symptoms, and concerns have been raised with regards to the validity of these new diagnostic concepts. While there has recently been an increase in recognising the role of the underlying anxiety in this condition, the psychological needs of individuals with hypochondriasis remain unclear. It is conceivable that specific emotional and interpersonal dimensions play a mediating role in the onset of hypochondriacal presentations, and have explanatory power with regards to the improvement of tailored therapeutic interventions. The present study used a mixed methodology, with an emphasis on the qualitative component, to investigate emotions and the interpersonal aspects of hypochondriasis. Six young adult females meeting the diagnostic criteria for both DSM-IV-TR hypochondriasis and DSM-5 illness anxiety disorder formed a clinical group for the present study. Semi-structured interviews were administered and analysed in line with the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Four major themes emerged from the qualitative data: 1) Early life experience; 2) Inward focus; 3) Learned helplessness; and 4) Experience of psychological therapy. Eight subordinate themes were identified: (i) Unmet emotional needs; (ii) Emotional isolation; (iii) There is something wrong with me; (iv) Emotional reasoning; (v) Self-fulfilling prophecy; (vi) External locus of control; (vii) Over-reliance on other people; and (viii) The experience of psychological therapy. Fifty-one female undergraduate psychology students formed a matched comparison group for the study and enabled a supplementary quantitative analysis to be conducted. The quantitative measures included measures of trait (TEIQue-SF) and ability emotional intelligence (MSCEIT) as well as a measure of sociotropy-autonomy (SAS). The quantitative data showed that the clinical group scored significantly lower than the comparison group on the measures of trait emotional intelligence, understanding emotions, and autonomy. Additionally, the clinical group scored significantly higher than the comparison group on the measure of sociotropy. The theoretical and therapeutic recommendations are discussed in light of the limitations of the present study. In conclusion, emotional and interpersonal aspects of DSM-IV-TR Hypochondriasis and DSM-5 illness anxiety disorder in young women provide a useful framework for the conceptualisation and therapeutic management of these conditions. It appears that with its scientific knowledge base, therapeutic flexibility, focus on reflective practice, and the emphasis on an effective working relationship, the discipline of counselling psychology is well-suited to address the needs of participants with hypochondriacal presentations.

L’objectif de ce travail est d'explorer et comprendre les principaux freins et leviers psychologiques à la démarche de dépistage du cancer colorectal (CCR) par Hemoccult-II®. Plus particulièrement, nous cherchons à préciser le rôle spécifique du concept d’anxiété envers la santé dans le processus qui conduit à prendre la décision de participer au dépistage du CCR.Une étude qualitative exploratoire basée sur la méthodologie des focus groups, suivie d’une étude quantitative ont été menées auprès d’individus âgés de 50 à 74 ans, ayant un risque moyen de développer un CCR. Les individus ayant déjà participé au dépistage ont de meilleures connaissances concernant le test Hemoccult-II®, surestiment davantage les leviers envers le test Hemoccult-II®, sont plus anxieux envers la santé, et mobilisent davantage de stratégies d’ajustement de type vigilant que les individus n’ayant jamais participé au dépistage. Les principaux prédicteurs de la participation au dépistage du CCR sont le degré de connaissances envers le dépistage du CCR, la surestimation des leviers au test Hemoccult-II®, la peur de la maladie et les stratégies d’ajustement de type vigilant.Ces résultats suggèrent que certains facteurs psychologiques, dont l’anxiété envers la santé, jouent un rôle essentiel dans la participation au dépistage du CCR par Hemoccult-II®. / The aim of this study is to investigate and to understand the main psychological barriers to and facilitators of colorectal cancer screening (CRC) by Hemoccult-II®. More specifically, we try to clarify the specific role of the concept of health anxiety in the decision making process which influences participation in CRC screening.An exploratory qualitative study, based on the methodology of focus groups, followed by a forward-looking quantitative study were led with people from 50 to 74 years old, with an average risk of developing a CRC. People having already participated to CRC screening have better knowledge about the Hemoccult-II® test, overestimate facilitators of the Hemoccult-II® test, are more anxious about health, and use more monitoring coping strategies than individuals having never participated to CRC screening. Main predictors of the participation to CRC screening are knowledge about CRC screening, overestimation of facilitators of Hemoccult-II® test, fear of disease and monitoring coping strategies.Results suggest that psychological factors, including health anxiety, play an important role in the participation in CRC screening by Hemoccult-II®.

Antecedentes: Existen pocos estudios que examinen los factores asociados a los distintos niveles ansiedad por la salud en los estudiantes de medicina. Objetivos: Determinar los factores asociados a los niveles de ansiedad por la salud en estudiantes de medicina en el año 2018. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal analítico con 657 estudiantes de medicina de una universidad privada peruana. Se realizó un censo y los participantes respondieron un cuestionario donde se recopiló la información respecto a los niveles de ansiedad por la salud (SHAI). Para el análisis se empleó la Regresión Lineal para calcular los betas, crudos y ajustados, e intervalos de confianza al 95%. Resultados: El promedio del puntaje de ansiedad por la salud fue de 14 puntos (SD 6,7). Se reporta una asociación entre la ansiedad por la salud y el año de estudio, siendo el segundo año el que revela puntajes más altos. Además, pone en manifiesto la asociación entre la ansiedad por la salud y el uso de tabaco, reportando niveles más altos en los fumadores ocasionales; así como una correlación inversa débil con la edad. No se revela asociación con el sexo, el lugar de nacimiento, el tener un familiar de primer grado médico o el tener un familiar de primer grado personal de salud. Conclusiones: El presente estudio evidenció que la edad, el año de estudios y el uso de tabaco se encontraban asociados a los niveles de ansiedad por la salud. Se requieren más estudios, especialmente de naturaleza longitudinal. / Background: There are few studies that examine the factors associated with the different levels of health anxiety in medical students. Objectives: To determine the factors associated with the levels of health anxiety in medical students in 2018. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out with 657 medical students from a private Peruvian university. A census was conducted and the participants answered a questionnaire where information was collected regarding the levels of health anxiety (SHAI). For the analysis, Linear Regression was used to calculate crude and adjusted betas and 95% confidence intervals. Results: The mean score was 14 points (SD 6,7) for health anxiety. An association between health anxiety and the year of study is reported, with the second year showing the highest scores. In addition, it highlights the association between health anxiety and the use of tobacco, reporting higher levels in occasional smokers; as well as a weak inverse correlation with age. No association with sex, place of birth, having a family member of first degree doctor or having a family member of first degree health personnel is revealed. Conclusions: The present study showed that age, year of studies and tobacco use were associated with health anxiety levels. More studies are required, especially of a longitudinal nature. / Tesis