Overview of somatization-diagnosis and management

Neurologists and general practitioners frequently encounter patients with inexplicable, unintentionally produced somatic complaints otherwise known as somatoform disorders. A literature search was performed including MEDLINE, as well as local and intemrnational journals using the following keywords/...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inNigerian journal of medicine Vol. 18; no. 4; p. 349
Main Authors Salawu, F K, Wakil, M A, Danburam, A
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Nigeria 01.10.2009
Subjects
Diagnosis, Differential
Humans
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Somatoform Disorders - diagnosis
Somatoform Disorders - psychology
Somatoform Disorders - therapy
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Summary:Neurologists and general practitioners frequently encounter patients with inexplicable, unintentionally produced somatic complaints otherwise known as somatoform disorders. A literature search was performed including MEDLINE, as well as local and intemrnational journals using the following keywords/ phrases and crossreferencing: somatoform disorder, somatization, medically unexplained physical symptoms. Illness with excessive somatic preoccupation is difficult to diagnose or categorize reliably due to rigid diagnostic criteria that often overlap with several psychiatric disorders. Management of patients with dysfunctional somatoform disorders is complex and challenging, particularly when initiated in a neurology outpatient or inpatient setting. The acronym CARE-MD represents a comprehensive treatment regimen that can be used to decrease physician and patient frustration, dramatically minimise health care over utilization, and improve overall well-being for patients with somatoform disorders.
ISSN:1115-2613