Somatisation. What is it?
BACKGROUND
Patients with a strong somatic conviction despite an absence of objective measures of physical disease are vexing and frustrating for doctors.


OBJECTIVE
This paper describes the phenomenon of somatisation and the common forms of presentation.


CONCLUSIONS
Somatisation--the expression of distress in somatic form--is perhaps the commonest of the psychiatric phenomena seen in general practice. It is usually accompanied by degrees of depression and anxiety. General practitioners have a special opportunity for recognition and early intervention in order to prevent the development of chronic somatizing states.
Clarke
D M
DM
Department of Psychological Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne. david.clarke@med.monash.edu.au
Smith
G C
GC
D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D011603:Psychophysiology; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology