Somatoform syndromes and disorders in a representative population sample of adolescents and young adults: prevalence, comorbidity and impairments

Abstract

Objective: To present prevalence findings of DSM-IV somatoform symptoms, syndromes and disorders in a representative sample of adolescents and young adults.

Method: Data come from the Early Developmental Stages of Psychopathology (EDSP) study, in which a total of 3021 respondents aged 14-24 years were assessed by the Munich-Composite International Diagnostic Interview.

Results: Although specific DSM-IV somatoform disorders were relatively rare with a lifetime rate of 2.7%, a considerably higher proportion of respondents met criteria for clinically significant somatoform syndromes as defined by the Somatic Symptom Index SSI4, 6 (lifetime: 1.7%), as well as the undifferentiated somatoform/dissociative syndrome USDS (lifetime: 9.1%), resulting in an overall prevalence rate of 12.6%. Somatoform conditions are often comorbid with other mental disorders and were found to be associated with remarkable impairments and disabilities.

Conclusion: Somatoform disorders and syndromes in young adults are frequent, impairing and often associated with the development of other mental disorders.