Contents of It's not All in Your Head by Asmundson and Taylor

somatosensory amplification have a lower threshold for physical discomfort, focus more
on bodily sensations, and perceive normal bodily sensations to be intensified and
unpleasant (Barsky et al., 1988). Recent research has suggested that some people may
have a genetic predisposition for these somatic symptoms (Taylor, Thordarson, Jang, &
Asmundson, 2006).
People with health anxiety experience health-related fears (see Table 1). The
dominant fear is that of having a harmful disease (Taylor & Asmundson, 2004). Another
related fear is the fear that one may contract a harmful disease (Taylor & Asmundson,
2004). For example, when people with health anxiety are exposed to bodily sensations or
other disease-related stimuli (e.g., sick people, hospitals, health professionals, the
Internet, health programs, newspaper and magazine articles), they often become anxious
and exhibit anxiety symptoms (Taylor & Asmundson, 2004; Wattar et al., 2005). Fear
and anxiety specific to having or contracting a disease are distinguishing features of
health anxiety.
When someone with health anxiety experiences health-related fear there is usually
a behavioural reaction (Taylor & Asmundson, 2004; see Table 1). These reactions can
include seeking reassurance from other people, repeatedly checking or examining the
body, or seeking medical help and other remedies. This can lead to doctor shopping
(finding and visiting various doctors), numerous tests, over-the-counter remedies, self-
diagnosis, and do-it-yourself treatments. Individuals with health anxiety increase health
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