Functional disorders in children and adolescents: diagnostic considerations.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the advantages of a nosologic approach to "functional" illness and its benefit in planning treatment for such illnesses.


METHODS
A review of common functional syndromes occurring during childhood and adolescence in presented.


RESULTS
The functional versus "organic" dualism in pediatrics and family practice is not heuristic. The biopsychosocial model allows a more useful approach to nosology and treatment planning. An approach to such a clinical conceptualization is give. Several case examples are provided.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with functional syndromes should be assessed with specific diagnostic criteria rather than criteria of exclusion.
Wells
L A
LA
Division of child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
D000293:Adolescent; D001828:Body Image; D002648:Child; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology