Somatizing patients: part II. Practical management

Abstract

Somatization is the experiencing of physical symptoms in response to emotional distress. It is a common and costly disorder that is frustrating to patients and physicians. Successful treatment of somatization requires giving an acceptable explanation of the symptoms to the patient, avoiding unwarranted interventions and arranging brief but regular office visits so that the patient does not need to develop new symptoms in order to receive medical attention. Antidepressants may be helpful in many patients, as well as cognitive psychotherapy when patients are willing to participate in it. Typical problems in managing such patients can be addressed by relying on the continuity established through regular visits to the same primary care physician.