Management of the Persistent Somatizer
The International Journal of Psychiatry in MedicinePublished 1 March 1975
Frederick H. Lowy
Citations35
SJR quartileQ3
SJR score0.62
SNIP0.64
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TL;DR
Patients who suffer and complain of symptoms for which no adequate organic pathology is found present serious management problems and the family physician has the best opportunity for early detection and prevention of chronicity of somatization phenomena.
Abstract
Patients who suffer and complain of symptoms for which no adequate organic pathology is found present serious management problems. Patients who display somatization phenomena are discussed with respect to incidence, psychopathology and predisposing factors-social and cultural, early life experiences, personality characteristics and individual psychodynamics. Although primary prevention of somatization is not yet feasible, early recognition and treatment are possible. The role of the psychiatrist includes: formulation of diagnosis; assessment for therapy; planning of treatment; and, at times, becoming the primary therapist. The family physician has the best opportunity for early detection and prevention of chronicity of somatization phenomena. Pharmacotherapy, behavior modification and some newer approaches in the management of these persistent somatizers are discussed.
Keywords
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