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General Management of Somatization

  • Kyung Bong Koh
Chapter
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Abstract

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is known to be effective in patients with somatic symptom and related disorders. History taking, physical examination, and investigations can be used to confirm or refute the patients’ beliefs. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) can help improve mental functioning (e.g., vitality and social functioning) in somatizing patients and change unhelpful behavioral patterns and increase self-care. In particular, MBCT can be considered a meaningful therapy for patients with somatizing disorders because it encourages them more willing to receive mental health care. Psychiatric consultation can be used as therapeutic strategy. In addition, psychopharmacotherapy is essential for management of somatization. Considering the limitations of time for physicians, an integrated brief therapy is recommended for such patients. This form of therapy should be multimodal by combining psychiatric consultation, CBT, and psychopharmacotherapy.

Keywords

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) Psychiatric consultation Psychopharmacotherapy Integrated brief therapy 
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© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2018

Authors and Affiliations

  • Kyung Bong Koh
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of PsychiatryYonsei University College of MedicineSeoulKorea

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