New directions in the treatment of somatization.
Patients who have multiple medically unexplained symptoms have baffled and perplexed health care professionals for many years. Given the substantial costs of somatization to both patients and the health care system, there is a pressing need for effective treatments. This article describes a recently developed, evidence-based psychosocial treatment for medically unexplained symptoms and the therapeutic rationale that underlies it. The authors' work provides efficacious treatment options for this refractory and debilitating set of disorders.
Woolfolk
Robert L
RL
Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, 152 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA. woolfolk@princeton.edu <woolfolk@princeton.edu>
Allen
Lesley A
LA
Tiu
Jade E
JE
D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*