Undifferentiated somatoform d... Health Article

Hypochondriasis

Hypochondriasisis also similar in many ways to undifferentiated somatoform disorder. Patients with hypochondriasis are convinced that the physical symptoms they are experiencing are the signs of a major illness. Alternately, they may simply have an obsessive fear of contracting or developing a major illness. These patients often have a specific diagnosisin mind when they visit a doctor, unlike most patients with undifferentiated somatoform disorder who have complaints but do not have a cause in mind.

Treatments

Most treatments of undifferentiated somatoform disorder focus on treating any underlying psychological problems or stresses that may be causing the disorder. When the disorder occurs in conjunction with another mental health problem such as depression, treating that problem often helps to resolve or lessen the symptoms of undifferentiated somatoform disorder. Some studies indicate that antidepressants are effective in treating this disorder. Patients also may benefit from programs intended to teach them how to manage stress and to understand the correlation between psychological stressors and physiological symptoms. These programs also teach people how to cope with criticism and how to stop negative behavior patterns.

Prognosis

For many people, undifferentiated somatoform disorder is a life-long disorder. Often, the physical complaints increase or decrease in relation to stressors in the affected person's life. Many people with this disorder are eventually diagnosed with another mental disorder or with a legitimate medical problem. For some people, treatment can be successful at lessening or completely resolving symptoms.

Prevention

There are no known ways to prevent undifferentiated somatoform disorder; it is possible, however, for people who appear to be developing the disorder to enroll in programs designed to teach them coping strategies and about the relationship between psychological factors and physical symptoms.

BOOKS

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.4th ed., text revised. Washington DC: American Psychiatric Association, 2000.

Sadock, Benjamin J. and Virginia A. Sadock, eds. Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry.7th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2000.

PERIODICALS

Ford, Charles V., Wayne J. Katon, Mack Lipkin Jr. "Managing Somatization and Hypochondriasis." Patient Care27 no. 2 (January 30, 1993): 31-41.

"Illness Without Disease." Harvard Mental Health Letter16, no. 3 (September 1999).

Locke, Steven E. "Treating Somatzation: an Update." Behavioral Health Management17, no. 4 (July 1997): 22.

Tish Davidson, A.M.