Health Anxiety Thought Record

The Health Anxiety Thought Record is designed to help clients document and challenge negative health-related thoughts.

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Professional version

Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.

Client version

Includes client-friendly guidance. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.

Fillable version (PDF)

A fillable version of the resource. This can be edited and saved in Adobe Acrobat, or other PDF editing software.

Editable version (PPT)

An editable Microsoft PowerPoint version of the resource.

Editable version (DOC)

An editable Microsoft Word version of the resource.

Overview

Individuals with health anxiety experience clinically significant distress associated with health concerns. This thought-challenging record enables clients to address negative automatic thoughts, worries, and predictions associated with their health.

Why Use This Resource?

The Health Anxiety Thought Record is a useful tool for identifying and addressing anxious health-related thought patterns.

  • Encourages clients to articulate their negative health-related thoughts.
  • Provides a structured approach to challenging these thoughts.
  • Helps clients to develop a more balanced perspective.

Key Benefits

Awareness

Identifies situations that trigger negative health-related thoughts.

Clarity

Helps clients articulate and challenge their negative thinking.

Engagement

Encourages active participation in therapy.

Who is this for?

Health Anxiety

Ideal for mental health professionals working with clients experiencing health anxiety.

Integrating it into your practice

01

Identify

Record specific situations or triggers related to health anxiety.

02

Document

Have clients record their emotional reactions, negative thoughts, and responses.

03

Respond

Help clients develop rational responses that challenge these thoughts.

04

Reflect

Review the outcome of using the thought record.

Theoretical Background & Therapist Guidance

The Health Anxiety Thought Record targets the key concerns of patients with health anxiety (hypochondriasis). The thought record includes space to record triggers, emotions, and negative/intrusive thoughts. Clients are then encouraged to challenge their negative thinking with rational responses.

What's inside

  • An introduction to the resource.
  • Suggestions for using the resource with clients.
  • Key references and further reading.
Get access to this resource

FAQs

Clients use this worksheet to document and reflect on thoughts and situations related to health anxiety.
The Health Anxiety Thought Record specifically targets negative health-related thoughts and problematic responses to them.
Therapists should encourage consistent use and support clients in identifying and challenging their negative thoughts.

How This Resource Improves Clinical Outcomes

This resource advances therapy by:

  • Enhancing self-awareness of health-related thoughts and their emotional impact.
  • Providing a framework for identifying and challenging negative thoughts.
  • Encouraging client participation in therapy.

References And Further Reading

  • Taylor, S. (2005). Understanding and treating health anxiety: A cognitive-behavioral approach. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 11(1), 112-123.