Functional somatic disorders. Key diagnostic features

Abstract

In diagnosis of functional somatic disorders, it is important to remember that the patient has no control over symptoms in somatization disorder, conversion disorder, psychogenic pain, and hypochondriasis. In addition, the environmental goals are recognizable only with careful history taking. Although voluntary symptom production is involved in both factitious disorder and malingering, environmental goals in the latter disorder are much more obvious. Depression can be an accompanying feature of all of these disorders; however, it is most closely linked with psychogenic pain. Atypical or masked depression should be included in differential diagnosis in elderly patients with somatic complaints. Referral to a consultation-liaison psychiatrist can help in evaluation and diagnosis of a somatic disorder. Joint consultation is the most effective way to plan treatment for this difficult group of patients.