Body image and self-esteem in somatizing patients.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to determine dissatisfaction with body appearance and bodily functions and to assess self-esteem in somatizing patients.


METHODS
Body image and self-esteem were investigated in 128 women; 34 of those had diagnosed somatoform disorders, 50 were breast cancer patients with total mastectomy surgery alone, and 44 were healthy subjects. Body image and self-esteem were assessed using the Body Cathexis Scale and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale.


RESULTS
The two clinical groups did not differ from one another (z = -1.832, P = 0.067), but differed from healthy controls in terms of body image (somatizing patients vs healthy controls, z = -3.628, P < 0.001; total mastectomy patients vs healthy controls, z = -3.172, P = 0.002). They also did not differ significantly in terms of self-esteem (z = -0.936, P = 0.349) when depressive symptoms were controlled. No statistically significant difference was observed between total mastectomy patients and healthy controls in terms of self-esteem (z = -1.727, P = 0.084). The lower levels of self-esteem in somatizing patients were largely mediated by depressive symptoms. Depressed and non-depressed somatizing patients differed significantly from healthy controls with respect to their self-esteem and body image.


CONCLUSIONS
Somatizing patients who were dissatisfied with their bodily functions and appearance had lower levels of self-esteem and high comorbidity of depression. In clinical practice it is suggested that clinicians should take into account psychiatric comorbidity, self-esteem, and body image in somatizing patients when planning treatment approaches.
Sertoz
Ozen O
OO
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Division of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey. onensertoz@gmail.com
Doganavsargil
Ozge
O
Elbi
Hayriye
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D015413:Mastectomy, Simple / Q000523:psychology; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D012649:Self Concept; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology