Somatoform disorders

Abstract

The somatoform disorders are a group of psychiatric disorders that cause unexplained physical symptoms. They include somatisation disorder (involving multisystem physical symptoms), undifferentiated somatoform disorder (fewer symptoms than somatisation disorder), conversion disorder (voluntary motor or sensory function symptoms), pain disorder (pain with strong psychological involvement), hypochondriasis (fear of having a life-threatening illness or condition), body dysmorphic disorder (preoccupation with a real or imagined physical defect), and somatoform disorder not otherwise specified (used when criteria are not clearly met for one of the other somatoform disorders). These disorders should be considered early in the evaluation of patients with unexplained symptoms to prevent unnecessary interventions and testing. Treatment success can be enhanced by discussing the possibility of a somatoform disorder with the patient early in the evaluation process, limiting unnecessary diagnostic and medical treatments, focusing on the management of the disorder rather than its cure, using appropriate medications and psychotherapy for co-morbidities, maintaining a psycho-educational and collaborative relationship with patients, and referring patients to mental health professionals when appropriate. Permission from the AAFP was granted to publish this article in the hardcopy only. Kindly refer to www.aafp.org or subscribe to the hardcopy of South African Family Practice.