The first step is the hardest - emotion recognition in patients with somatoform disorders

Abstract

Objectives: The aetiology of somatoform disorders is assumed to consist of several factors, as alexithymia, dysfunctional cognitions and emotion regulation. As a consequence of somatoform disorders social withdrawal is discussed. Several studies prove connections between mental problems, emotion recognition, and functioning social relationships.

Methods: A sample of 35 patients suffering from a somatoform disorder and a sample of 73 persons without any somatoform symptoms were investigated according to their ability to identify emotional facial expressions (computer-assisted presentation of photos).

Results: Our results demonstrate significant differences in the ability to decode others' emotional states between people with or without somatoform disorders. In all six tests the patients achieved significantly worse results.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that psychotherapeutic treatment of patients with somatoform disorders should also focus on the recognition of emotions and deal with them.