Towards better understanding and management of somatoform disorders.
Much research has recently been conducted on somatoform disorders demonstrating their clinical importance, associated health-service burden and economic cost. These conditions are often comorbid with other mental and physical disorders and particularly prevalent in primary care and general medical settings. Although culture-specific manifestations and variations of somatization occur--it is now accepted that medically unexplained somatic symptoms are a universal phenomenon. The management of somatoform disorders is generally a complex and lengthy process; however, a number of recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of short-term treatments such as cognitive behaviour therapy and educational interventions. Despite advances in their understanding and treatment, debate still surrounds the conceptualization and categorization of somatoform disorders, with a number of experts proposing a complete re-evaluation and reassignment of this diagnostic classification category. The following paper represents a review of recently published literature on frequency, characteristics, conceptualization, impact and management of somatoform disorders.
Janca
Aleksandar
A
School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth WA 6000, Australia. ajanca@cyllene.uwa.edu.au
Isaac
Mohan
M
Ventouras
Jane
J
D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000191:economics; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006295:Health Resources / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D019222:Mind-Body Relations, Metaphysical; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome