Traditional Workshop 13 - An Evidence-based Approach to Treating Fears of Recurrence and Disease Progression in chronic Physical Conditions

In our ageing society, the presence of chronic physical conditions is becoming more common and anxiety is a common sequalae of living with chronic disease. However, while cognitive-behavioural treatments for anxiety are associated with large effects, in the context of chronic illness, treatments have been shown to produce small changes or be ineffective. The concerns of those living with chronic illness, differ from those of people without chronic illnesses. It has recently been proposed that fear of the illness recurring or progressing is a fundamental fear that underlies anxiety in a range of conditions and is a transdiagnostic construct that impedes quality of life for people with chronic disease. This workshop will describe models of fear of disease recurrence and progression, and examine the evidence that fear of progression is a transdiagnostic construct amongst those with chronic physical illness. This workshop will outline ways to help patients to be able to think about their future with uncertainty and live a life that has meaning and value to them, using a program called 'Conquer Fear'. Conquer fear draws from acceptance commitment therapy, meta-cognitive therapy and behavioural strategies. Conquer Fear was shown in a large randomized controlled trial to be superior to relaxation training in reducing fear of cancer recurrence (FCR). The program includes values clarification and strategies from metacognitive therapy, that examine whether worry is helpful, harmful or controllable specifically in the context of FCR will be explored. Response prevention for checking behaviours and bodily monitoring will be described and demonstrated. Although this program was developed specifically for working with people living with or beyond cancer, the applicability for working with other illnesses in which fear of progression will be addressed.