Integrated psychotherapeutic treatment of somatoform and other psychophysiological disorders.
In this article, we have described a subgroup of patients referred from a general medical setting and suffering from a cluster of similar physical and emotional symptoms, while presenting similar psychodynamics and personality traits. In contrast to a certain scepticism in the psychiatric community about the usefulness of psychotherapy with these people, our experience suggests that when a number of diverse psychotherapeutic techniques are drawn upon in an integrated fashion, psychotherapy can be an effective clinical tool. The coping-rest model, with its combination of physiological, behavioural and dynamic approaches, has been particularly helpful. We present 3 representative cases, which reflect the overall clinical and personality features of the subgroup and the integrated psychotherapeutic approach that was utilized.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy*