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Somatoform Disorders and Related Syndromes

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Family Medicine

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Abstract

Somatoform disorders as a group cause significant physical and emotional distress. They impair occupational and social function. They are associated with increased work absences, more time spent in bed, a lower quality of life, an increased risk for iatrogenic injury, and increased health-care utilization and costs. The accompanying impairment is comparable to that seen with mood and anxiety disorders [1]. Fortunately, effective treatment strategies exist that can improve somatoform conditions, reinforcing the importance of identifying and engaging affected patients. This remains true despite the challenges inherent in the nature of managing symptoms with no identifiable tissue pathology.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Medicine, Residency Section, University of Washington School of Medicine, 331 NE 103rd Street, Box 358732, Seattle, WA, 98125, USA

    Pamela Pentin

  2. Family Medicine International Community Health Sources, Seattle, USA

    Lili Dofino Sperry

Authors
  1. Pamela Pentin
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  2. Lili Dofino Sperry
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pamela Pentin .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Medicine, University of Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska, USA

    Paul Paulman

  2. Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA

    Robert Taylor

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© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Pentin, P., Sperry, L.D. (2015). Somatoform Disorders and Related Syndromes. In: Paulman, P., Taylor, R. (eds) Family Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0779-3_35-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0779-3_35-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-0779-3

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