Hypochondrial cognition or behaviour rated by
a validated hypochondriasis or health anxiety scale (Health Anxiety Inventory, Health Anxiety Questionnaire, Whitley Index, Somatic Symptom Index or Illness Attitudes Scale), or appropriate visual analogue scale.
First, the questionnaire was
validated by comparing the responses of patients suffering from
hypochondriasis with those suffering from
hypochondriasis and panic disorder, panic disorder, social phobia and non-patient controls.