Something's not right : exploring the lived experience of health anxiety : thesis submitted in partial completion of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology, Massey University, Albany, New Zealand

dc.confidentialEmbargo : Noen_US
dc.contributor.advisorVan Ommen, Clifford
dc.contributor.authorThompson, Victoria
dc.date.accessioned2020-12-08T23:31:15Z
dc.date.accessioned2021-06-03T22:49:12Z
dc.date.available2020-12-08T23:31:15Z
dc.date.available2021-06-03T22:49:12Z
dc.date.issued2020
dc.description.abstractChanges in the diagnostic criteria for health anxiety calls for a closer investigation of the experiences of those who excessively worry about their health. This study uses a social constructionist perspective to qualitatively investigate the lived experience of people who identify as excessively worrying about their health. Experiences of nine participants were explored in semi-structured interviews. Through a thematic analysis, six key themes were identified: ‘relationships’, ‘invalidation’, ‘insight’, ‘better safe than sorry’, ‘vulnerability’ and ‘therapy.’ Overall, participants experience their health anxiety as debilitating, with challenges that included interactions with health professionals, a sense of responsibility for health and a feeling of vulnerability in relation to their bodies. However, previous research suggesting a lack of insight in health anxiety was called into question and the benefits of interacting with psychological therapies shared. Participants reflected a sense of invalidation within the medical sphere and a need for recognition, support and engagement with professionals that does not serve to further stigmatise this group.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10179/16389
dc.publisherMassey Universityen_US
dc.rightsThe Authoren_US
dc.subjectHypochondriaen
dc.subjectNew Zealanden
dc.subjectPatientsen
dc.subjectAttitudesen
dc.subject.anzsrc520399 Clinical and health psychology not elsewhere classifieden
dc.titleSomething's not right : exploring the lived experience of health anxiety : thesis submitted in partial completion of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology, Massey University, Albany, New Zealanden_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
massey.contributor.authorThompson, Victoriaen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineClinical Psychologyen_US
thesis.degree.grantorMassey Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelDoctoralen_US
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Clinical Psychologyen_US
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